Small town. Big aim.

What began more than three decades ago as a simple request from a handful of determined Freeman High School students has grown into a lasting community tradition. In 1993, those students wanted the same trap team opportunities they saw at other schools, so they found a coach—Steve Meyer—and built their own program from the ground up. More than 30 years later, the team Steve helped launch is still going strong.

The setup is straightforward, but the challenge keeps students coming back. Shooters move through the line in squads of five, each taking a turn trying to hit five clay targets before rotating to the next post. Targets launch in different directions, demanding focus and adaptability. Individual scores are tallied and combined into a team total, creating a balance between personal skill and shared success.

That mix of competition and camaraderie has helped the program grow. Heidi Johnson shot on the team from 2000 to 2002, when the roster was much smaller. Today, the Freeman trap team includes 36 students, with a growing number of girls among them. One of those shooters is Heidi’s daughter, Maddy, who now serves as vice president of the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, which includes the trap team.

With 36 members, Freeman has six full squads while some schools have only one or two. Freeman also has an all-girl team. Three of those girls have competed together since eighth grade. “They work really well together and instinctively know what to do when it matters,” Heidi said.

The coaches guiding today’s team have deep roots in the program itself. Head coach Greg Vail and his wife, Emily, were both on the team under coach Steve Meyer. Assistant coach Justus Snyder was among the original trap shooters who helped launch the program in 1993, and his connection now spans another generation—his daughter, Briley, is a current team member and FFA president. Longtime supporter Clint Stevenson and fellow Freeman Trap alumnus Dennis Mackleit round out the coaching staff, carrying forward a tradition of mentorship and commitment that has endured for decades.

Participating requires significant commitment from both families and volunteers. Parents function as an informal booster club, helping cover the costs that come with competition. While each student is required to secure a minimum of $500 in sponsorships, the actual cost can reach nearly $1,500 per season. Community support plays a major role in meeting that obligation. A recent grant from Avista helped the team purchase supplies that otherwise may have required families to cover costs upfront without guaranteed reimbursement.

Competitions are full-day events, sometimes beginning before 5 a.m. With 36 shooters, at least three coaches must attend, often using personal vehicles to transport equipment. Families and pets regularly come along to cheer on the team, turning meets into daylong community gatherings.

“The family-like mentality is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Heidi says. “It’s a small town, so everybody knows each other, but this is different. It is absolutely heartwarming.”

Unlike many sports, trap doesn’t separate varsity and junior varsity shooters. Students practice side-by-side allowing younger participants to learn directly from experienced seniors. Teams are formed not only based on skill but also on how well the five shooters work together. Coach Greg pays close attention to detail, adjusting squads throughout the season based on body language, communication and group dynamics.

That teamwork shows in competition. Freeman’s squads regularly receive high scores and have competed at the state level several times, bringing home the first-place trophy five years in a row.

Students also consistently win the Steve Meyer Memorial—Freeman FFA Alumni Trap Tournament, often earning the $500 sponsorship each shooter is required to raise. Still, coaches emphasize that the sport teaches far more than accuracy. Respect, responsibility and safety are central to everything they do.

“It’s a team-oriented sport,” Heidi explained. “You have to know what the person next to you is doing.”

Each April, the team attends the annual invitational tournament, continuing a tradition that began with a few determined students and now spans generations of shooters, coaches and community members.

This is just one example of small communities powered by big hearts.

The Rockford community is in Avista’s Washington service territory and is home to about 600 Avista customers.