ABOVE: From left: Matt Zayden Werner, Dane Breitbarth, John Carr, Cole Nawrocki and Ethan Madsen get their reps in as they prepare for the state competition, which will be on Friday, June 20 at Minneapolis Gun Club.

FAIRMONT – The Fairmont Cardinals were hard at work Wednesday night preparing for their state competition at the Minneapolis Gun Club which will be Friday, June 20.

At their Section 6A meet, their team of five qualified. It consists of Dane Breitbarth, Cole Nawrocki, Ethan Madsen, John Carr and Zayden Werner. This team also has three within the top 100 of all Minnesota Clay Target athletes. Breitbarth is tied for fourth with an average of 24.7/25 targets hit, Nawrocki is tied for 41st with 24.1/25 targets hit and Madsen is tied for 93rd with 23.8/25 targets hit.

On the girl’s side, Vaedah Werner qualified for state by finishing fourth with 20.7/25 targets hit all season.

Head Coach Scott Fuhrman said he was looking for a successful team heading into the season, given the track records of returning athletes.

“There was four of the five that shot last year in the great tournament returning,” he said. “We had some good shooters. Our younger shooters, as they mature, they get better and more consistent all the time.”

What set them apart this year was their commitment to training outside of practice.

“A lot of them put in extra time,” Fuhrman said. “When they weren’t practicing here, they were practicing on their own time, coming out on extra days and shooting. They’re all learning the mental focus, which is a big part of the game. It’s a skill; you got to repeat the same things over and over and over again.”

There are a total of 43 athletes on their team. Fuhrman said a big key to their success has been spreading the word and taking all who come.

“Some might have a skill early on, but it’s having them out here and practicing,” he said. “It all comes down to those who want to learn and want to listen.”

There are no separate divisions in Clay Target, so Fairmont will be facing challengers from every part of Minnesota. For graduating Senior Ethan Madsen, it will be his first state appearance. While there is pressure, he said he’s happy to have finally made it to the big time.

“I’ve been working towards it my whole career,” Madsen said. “I want to shoot as good as I can, one bird at a time.”

The pressure is also on for Breitbarth, who is a top five Clay Target shooter out of over 10,000 participants. Heading into state, he said focus will be important.

“Shooting my best,” he said. “If I miss one, focus on the next target.”

For state goals, Carr said he’s looking to keep doing what he’s done for the past season, Werner said he’s looking to keep a steady pace and clear head, Madsen said he’s looking to enjoy making it there on his last chance, and Nawrocki said he’s looking to stay focused and be ready for every shot.