Penn-Trafford rifle team ready to make waves

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, December 18, 2017 | 11:00 PM

While the program has been around several seasons, the Penn-Trafford rifle team sometimes still is an unknown to opposing teams.

“I don't think all of the other coaches know who we are,” said coach Diana Long, who is entering her fourth season with the team. “We don't face every school, so some of them don't have a clue. I still consider us the new kids on the block.”

But that hasn't stopped the Warriors from setting goals high this season. With its largest roster ever, Penn-Trafford returns a blend of experience with talented new shooters.

The numbers for the Warriors continue to grow. In the first season of the program, Long had only 12 shooters. The number grew to more than 20 over the next two seasons.

Penn-Trafford has more than 30 shooters for its third season of WPIAL competition.

The Warriors are led by a group of experienced seniors. Tyler Shurina returns after being the team's top finisher at last season's WPIAL individual championships as he shot a 199 to claim 39th out of 79 shooters.

The team also returns Rachel Mills. She was the top female finisher for the Warriors at the WPIAL championships last season as she finished in 53rd with a 198. Mills is committed to Tennessee-Martin to continue shooting in college.

Hunter Greyno and Grant Ellwood also bring experience to the team.

“There is a comfort going into the season with kids who have this experience,” Long said. “They are able to help guide and influence the less-experienced shooters.”

But there are new shooters making their mark with the program. Brooke Sargent brings experience in the sport to the freshman class. Declan Mooney, meanwhile, is a freshman who never tried the sport before coming out for the team this season.

“He found out about us over the summer and came out and shot with me,” Long said. “He has shot 100s a couple of times. He has acclimated to it very quickly.”

In a recent matchup with annual WPIAL contender Waynesburg, Penn-Trafford dropped a 798-791 decision.

“A couple of kids we not able to make it because of scheduling conflicts,” Long said. “We could have scored even higher.”

It is a strong start for a team that struggles to find practice time. While other WPIAL programs have ranges on school property, Penn-Trafford doesn't and has to travel off campus to practice together.

That limits practices to Sundays and Mondays.

“Practice can be a challenge,” Long said. “We can only practice two days a week because the club we shoot at has leagues on a few days, and we have matches Tuesday and Thursday.”

The Warriors will look to challenge for a WPIAL team playoff berth this season in Section 3. While Butler and Hempfield — which returns defending WPIAL individual champion Jordan Miller — have been the top dogs recently, Penn-Trafford wants to make its presence known.

“I know our seniors would love nothing more than to walk away making it to WPIALs,” Long said. “I tell them all the time, ‘You know what you're doing. It comes down to us performing at the same time.'

“If we are going to do it any year, this is the year.”

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford