After his very first trapshooting practice three years ago, Dakota Andrews told his mom, “I found my sport.”
Now an eighth-grader at Pauls Valley Junior High, Andrews has traveled the southwestern United States, competing and winning trapshooting competitions with 4-H and the Amateur Trapshooting Association.
“I like that it is all up to me, instead of on a team,” he said. “It’s a mental and physical challenge. I even shoot better in bad weather.”
Among his many honors, Andrews won the Oklahoma 4-H Intermediate Trapshoot earlier this month and qualified for the Oklahoma All-State Team.
“He just has a passion for the outdoors, and it has allowed him to travel and meet Olympians and people with trapshooting titles,” said his mother, Deana Andrews.
One of his favorite people to meet has been Michael Gates, a 17-year-old shooter from Marlow who has won titles himself. Gates has become a mentor to Andrews.
“He’s good at showing me what to do, because I get really nervous, like I’m about to throw up,” Andrews said. “He reminds me that every target is a new target, and you can’t get back one you miss.”
Shooting runs in the Andrews family, as his grandfather competed in shooting competitions with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department.
Andrews now uses his grandfather’s Winchester 1897, purchased after returning from the Korean War, as his weapon of choice for the more informal nostalgia shoots that happen at some events.
“It’s different than what everyone else usually has,” Andrews said.
He also appreciates looking at the older guns during the nostalgia shoots.
Guns he has seen include the first model Browning BT-99 ever made, the same model as his first trap gun.
His favorite place to visit and compete has been New Mexico.
“The people are really nice, and it has the nicest range,” he said, referring to the NRA Whittington Center. “There is nice scenery, and everything is just good about it.”
New Mexico is also home to Bryce Mueller, a shooter with whom Andrews has become friends. Andrews was excited to win the competition named in his friend’s honor while in New Mexico.
Flagstaff, Ariz., is the farthest Andrews has travelled so far.
“The temperature was really bad - cold and rainy. We would warm our fingers up on our gun,” Andrews said.
Andrews often thrives when the weather creates an extra challenge.
“When the weather is bad, I’m not as nervous, and I’m a little more relaxed,” he said.
According to Andrews, doubles is the hardest competition.
“I concentrate too hard on it because there are two of them, and it’s harder to concentrate,” he said.
When he isn’t trapshooting, Andrews hunts, particularly ducks, and participates in wrestling and football at school.
Competing at this level and traveling to competitions in other states takes a lot of support, from his parents to local businesses.
“We like that it teaches a lot of self-discipline,” Deana Andrews said. “It teaches resilience. Just because you have a bad round, you have to move on.”
Andrews has been sponsored by the following companies: Washita Land Company, Rapid Roberts, Pro-Ag, SW-Perry, MC Iron Blacksmithing, Legend Waterfowl Outfitters and Pauls Valley National Bank.
He also plans to have fundraisers, especially as he wants to be an All-American next year.
Andrews hopes to continue with trapshooting for as long as possible, hopefully at least into college.
“I’ll go as long as I want and as long as I can,” he said.
