The JWP-St. Clair (JWP-STC) Clay Target team officially brought down the curtain on a historic season, celebrating their athletes, coaching staff, and a trophy-laden campaign at their annual Fun Night and awards banquet.
For the joint program, this season proved to be a masterclass in precision and consistency. The Bulldogs boasted an incredible roster where 23 gunslingers earned varsity letters by maintaining a season average of 20+ shattered targets per round.
The highlight of the campaign came on the state’s biggest stage in Alexandria, where Bulldogs went toe-to-toe with the best deadeyes in Minnesota. Backed by stellar shooting across the board, JWP-STC captured an incredible third place team finish at the State competition.
Elite Marksmen Shine to Close the Season
The final weeks of the competitive season provided picturesque weather and even hotter shooting. The campaign’s final rounds saw several milestones, including Cody Wiederhoeft shooting a perfect 50 straight, while Trendin Lotton and Carter Wiederhoeft both registered perfect 25 straight rounds. After all five rounds of competitive shooting were completed on May 20, the Bulldogs were bolstered by a flurry of top-tier individual performances, placing six total shooters in the top 25 of their respective state divisions.
On the male side, Cody Wiederhoeft capped his high school career by finishing eighth in the state, while teammate and younger brother Carter Wiederhoeft shot his way to an 11th place finish.
The ladies were equally dominant, led by Janessa Carstensen’s seventh place state finish. Joining her in the top 25 tier were Maddie Lueck. 21st place, Ella VanErdewyck. 23rd place, and Kayle Langford, who clinched the 25th spot in Minnesota.
Championship Belts and Season Awards
At the year-end awards banquet on May 27, the team celebrated the individual giants of the season. Cody Wiederhoeft (STC) and Carstensen (STC) took home the ultimate bragging rights as the Top Male and Top Female shooters. Cody finished the spring with an elite season average of 23.5, while Janessa posted a spectacular 22.1 average. In addition to their traditional trophies, both shooters were awarded one-of-a-kind, custom championship belts to commemorate their dominance.
The program also celebrated massive individual growth and leadership:
Most Improved Athlete: Wyatt Ostgarden earned the honor after an incredible display of dedication, raising his shooting average by a massive 8.8 points over the course of the season.
Sportsman’s Award: Langford (JWP) was selected by the coaching staff for this prestigious honor. Given to an athlete who embodies a positive attitude, a tireless willingness to volunteer, and serves as an exemplary role model for younger shooters, Kayle’s leadership was a cornerstone of the team’s culture.
A Historic Farewell to the Seniors
This spring marked the largest senior class in the history of the JWP-STC Clay Target program, with 16 seniors bidding farewell.
Among this dedicated group, three historic milestones were honored. Led by Evan Olson (JWP) and Cody Wiederhoeft (STC), these dedicated competitors participated in all 13 seasons available to them (spanning spring and fall sports from junior high through senior year, excluding only the pandemic-cancelled Spring 2020 season). The JWP-STC community extends its deepest gratitude to all 16 seniors for their years of commitment and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.
Ending on a Perfect Note
With 30 Bulldogs reported to attend the MN State Trap Shooting Competitions in Alexandria, this 2026 season proved that JWP-STC is not just an active participant in the sport—they are a bona fide powerhouse filled with sharpshooters. Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, and families on an spectacular, record-shattering year!
