Boise City’s senior and junior trapshooting teams swept the competition to became 2025 state champions at the Oklahoma Scholastic Shooting Sports Program (OKSSSP) state shoot. The event was held April 16 at the Oklahoma Trap and Skeet Association in El Reno.

Boise City is among more than 180 schools participating in OKSSSP, a trap-based shotgun shooting program offered to schools through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s suite of outdoor education programs.

OKSSSP held its first state shoot in fall 2013. For the past nine years, a bracket-style format for senior- and junior-level has been used, as the program continues to grow in popularity. Starting the state shoot are 16 senior level teams and eight junior level teams that earned invitations after their performance at the north and south regional OKSSSP shoots in early April.

“OKSSSP has proven to be immensely popular among the schools that have joined,” said Damon Springer, a senior communication and education specialist with ODWC, and OKSSSP’s coordinator. “Students are given a chance to learn about firearms and firearms safety, and they have a chance to represent their schools in competition.”

Yet another honor went to Boise City, as student Stormie Manes took third place in the senior female individual competition, and four other Boise City team members finished in the top 10 in all individual divisions.

“Practice and discipline are the keys to success in this game,” Springer said. “Shooters have to hone their skills and stay sharp. Proper shooting form and staying consistent are vital.”

Merritt was the second-place senior team for 2025, and Woodward edged Okarche for third place.

In junior team competition, Elgin took second place, and Okarche bested Chisholm for third.

In the individual competitions, the state’s top overall senior shooter and state champion senior male was Clay Culver of Chelsea. Second-place senior male was Bo Patten of Woodward, and Kase Angelly of Navajo took third place.

The senior female individual winners were Ali Earls of Navajo, state champion; Addison Darling of Merritt, second place; and Manes of Boise City, third.

In the junior male individual competition, Gage Juna of Elgin was state champion and top overall junior shooter; Connor Waller of Kingston earned second place, and Camden Sliger of Kingston placed third.

In the junior female individual contest, Jayden McElhannon of Latta was state champion, with Berklee Snow of Elgin and Katelynn Wood of Sayre taking second and third places.

OKSSSP member schools receive a start-up kit from ODWC, valued about $2,000. The kit includes a gun safe, a target thrower, 20 boxes of clay targets, 20 pairs of safety glasses and 600 earplugs for hearing protection.

To see all team scores and individual scores from the 2025 OKSSSP state shoot, go to wildlifedepartment.com/education/shotgun/oklahoma-scholastic-shooting-sports-program-oksssp or facebook.com/OKOutdoorEd.

Anyone wanting to learn more about OKSSSP or those interested in starting the program at their school may call Springer at (405) 317-6316 or e-mail damon.springer@odwc.ok.gov.