Source link : https://usa-news.biz/2024/10/13/utah/eagle-mountain-high-school-star-soars-on-global-stage-at-international-shooting-competition/
Kaleb Horinek: A Rising Star in Competitive Shooting
EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Similar to many high school seniors, Kaleb Horinek thrives on thrilling experiences. However, his source of excitement comes from hitting targets that soar at incredible speeds. “The rush I feel is unmatched. Chasing a target flying at 70 mph truly makes my heart race; when you see it shatter into countless pieces, the satisfaction is immense,” he expressed. “Being capable of shooting something moving that fast is just pure enjoyment.”
This 18-year-old shooter recently returned from his inaugural international event: the International Shooting Sport Federation Junior World Championship held in Lima, Peru. In his nine years dedicated to competitive shooting, he represented Utah as a member of Team USA.
While he didn’t achieve the results he aimed for during the competition, Kaleb described the overall experience as “incredible.” His journey into shooting began a decade ago when his father introduced him to the sport. He instantly took a liking to it and soon started participating regularly at Wasatch Wing and Clay—a hunting club situated northwest of Eagle Mountain.
The Path to International Competition
Not long after beginning his journey, Kaleb was approached by a coach who invited him to join the youth team at their club. This same coach was instrumental in introducing him to international trap shooting three years prior. “I accepted an invitation for an event in Hillsdale, Michigan—and since then, I’ve never looked back,” shared Horinek.
The competition where Kaleb showcased his skills took place earlier this month in Lima and included a challenging 60-foot bunker equipped with 15 traps. Contestants were required to aim at 25 targets positioned across five unique posts—each launching clay discs with trajectories randomized by computer software.
The Challenges of International Trap Shooting
In contrast with standard trap events featuring elevated bunkers, international trap involves flat-lying bunkers where targets speed past at velocities exceeding 68 mph—a true test for any sharpshooter like Horinek.
Unfortunately for Utah shooters like Kaleb, there are no dedicated facilities for practicing international trap nearby; players must travel over eight hours either to Missoula, Montana or Pikes Peak in Colorado for genuine training sessions—opportunities he’s had limited access to during official training camps with his coach.
A New Training Opportunity
Fortunately for him last year Wasatch Wing and Clay added an “international wobble trap”—a skill-building tool akin to mini-bunkers—that has allowed Horinek some degree of specialized practice without extensive travel requirements.
A Journey Full of Learning Experiences
To qualify under the International Shooting Sport Federation guidelines, Horinek engaged in competitions located in Hillsdale and Tucson before earning one of four coveted spots on Team USA competing overseas after initially tying but coming up short during shoot-offs against other candidates from around the nation.
“As luck would have it,” noted Horinek with excitement about being named first alternate due—as fate would have it—to another team member’s enlistment into Army Marksmanship Unit training which permitted him access directly onto this elite group heading toward Peru.” While my performance there didn’t meet my personal standards — especially after struggling early on—I absorbed invaluable lessons along this path,” he reflected regarding growth stemming from failure.”
The Thrill Beyond Borders
“At these competitions—the pressure increases drastically since everyone there represents only top-quality juniors globally,” said Kaleb describing how much more intense competition felt abroad compared domestically . The thrill culminated uniquely when scoring impressively upon concluding rounds as validation emerges strong despite early stumbles yielding final scores improved dramatically returning perfect hits registering into target counts each round onward increasing morale returns substantially vital replenishment sustaining through pressures overcoming hurdles faced!” p >
A Supportive Community Aspiring To Grow The Sport
“Utah’s shooting community forms an incredibly supportive network aiming continuously towards enhancement efforts establishing local venues facilitating more opportunities youth involvement instantly promotes broader engagement levels targeting sports outreach,” noted hornek inspiring positves everywhere adjusting collaboration turning visions dreams upward actualizing progress developing facility structures promising elevate standards futures enabling full-absorption sanity carried forward ensuring goals attained purposefully benefitting ecosystem while optimizing interactions well-rounded ultimately promoting retention !”
“Shooting encapsulates essential balance elegance simplicity layered within complexities yet sees ample rewards returns fortifying depth connections carpeting roots laid foundational parts ensuring security remains pivotal staples contributing seamlessly success anticipated outcomes genuinely captivating channeled experiences bursting forth polishing adding truths enjoyed thriving leisurely aside passion styling minutiae directing focused journeys utmost sincerity culminating blended accomplishment witnessed highlighting individuality standing uniquely realizing higher potentialities invested continually aspiring evolve!” very words echoed throughout entire area manifesting graces amid collective strengths.”
Toward Future Aspirations
“As I set sights onto college programs embedded Midwest opportunities appear enticing offering integration wherein education pursued also sprinkling ambitions pursuing further advancing skillsets presented courses available mapping track promise contingent fulfilling ventures degrees achieved!”
The post Eagle Mountain High School Star Soars on Global Stage at International Shooting Competition! first appeared on USA NEWS.
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Author : Jean-Pierre CHALLOT
Publish date : 2024-10-13 08:47:42
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