Trap Talk From The Back Fence
Host(s): Zach Nannini & Richard Marshall Jr.
Episode: From High School Champ to Lady I All-American: Iowa's own Lacey Gangwish | Trap Talk Ep. 160
Guest: Lacey Gangwish
Date: January 23, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, Zach and Ricky sit down with Lacey Gangwish—a rising star in the trapshooting world, hailing from Council Bluffs, Iowa. The conversation dives into Lacey’s journey from picking up a shotgun in sixth grade to becoming a two-time high school state champion, female all-state captain, and a Lady I All-American. They cover everything from her competitive milestones, collegiate shooting life at Midland University, technical aspects of her shooting style, challenges faced as a female shooter, and advice for others in the sport.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Lacey’s Background and Competitive Achievements ([02:29]–[03:47])
- Two-time Iowa high school state champ
- Female all-state captain (2023 & 2024)
- Reached the 27-yard line at Tucson in 2024
- Three-year Iowa state team member
- Newly named Lady I All-American
- Currently shoots for Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska and recently won doubles at Fort Hayes and singles at Lincoln’s Monocats Invitational.
Quote ([03:17] - Lacey):
“I won the doubles down in Fort Hayes, that’s the very first shoot. And then I just recently won the singles at my last shoot in Lincoln.”
2. Transition to Collegiate Shooting ([04:05]–[05:12])
- Sophomore studying Ag Business with a 42-member college team.
- Midland’s program covers all shotgun disciplines: trap, skeet (including doubles), sporting, and super sporting.
- Her main focus remains on trap, but she acknowledges the value in practicing all disciplines.
Quote ([05:01] - Lacey):
“You have to switch through your mind. Like, sporting takes a little bit more thought, and then trap's kind of laid back. That’s why I like trap.”
3. How She Got Started in Trapshooting ([05:29]–[06:13])
- Began in sixth grade due to her dad's discovery of the high school trap team.
- Initially disliked the sport, but started to enjoy it after her first medal win.
Quote ([05:47] - Lacey):
“I originally hated it at first, but then I grew to love it.”
4. The Iowa Trapshooting Experience ([06:13]–[08:33])
- Participated in SCTP league, doing singles, doubles, and handicap.
- Iowa’s program is large, drawing about 3,000 kids to the state high school trap shoot.
- Lacey’s dad is the current president of the Iowa State Trap Association (ISTA), and she was the first in her family to shoot competitively.
Quote ([08:22] - Lacey, about state shoots):
"My dad said we had about 3,000 kids that come every year."
5. Competitive Mindset and Early Success ([09:48]–[13:34])
- Her “switch” moment came after winning her first medal.
- Explains the role of confidence and positive mentality in breaking new ground (such as her first 100 straight).
- Surprised herself in freshman year by winning singles, doubles, and handicap at the high school state meet.
Quote ([09:48] - Lacey): “After I won my first medal, that’s when I really liked it.”
Quote ([13:10] - Lacey, first big competitive success): “My freshman year of high school... I pretty much won it all. I won the singles, doubles, and handicap... and then started joining ATA stuff.”
6. College Life and Balancing Shooting ([14:31]–[15:52])
- Comparable shooting schedule during school and summer.
- The national team selection at Midland is based on performance, travel squad involvement, and coach’s discretion.
7. Team Dynamic and College Competition ([16:58]–[18:51])
- Discusses importance of team chemistry, especially in collegiate settings.
- Coaches often prioritize shooters who work well together.
- Lacey acknowledges she’s unsure exactly how nationals team selection works at Midland but feels confident in her travel squad experience.
8. Goals, Bucket List, and Technical Game ([19:28]–[24:17])
- Major goals: Win Lady I at the Grand American, break first 200 straight in singles, 100 straight in doubles.
- Career best in doubles: several 98s, frequent 49s in each half.
- Describes shooting style: low gun hold, right-handed, one-eyed, “chase it down” approach; singles and doubles technique nearly identical, slows gun down for handicap.
Quote ([19:28] - Lacey): “I would love to win a Lady I up at the Grand American. Get my 200 in singles, and my hundred in doubles.”
9. Coaching and Learning from Others ([20:06]–[22:36])
- Credits doubles improvement to coaching from Ryan Blows, but much knowledge comes from her dad and teammates.
- Team at Midland provides mutual peer coaching.
- Open to learning from shooters in other disciplines (skeet, sporting): “Everyone kind of puts their advice in.”
10. Potential to Switch to Two-Eyed Shooting ([23:17]–[29:51])
- Lacey currently shoots one-eyed but is right-eye dominant.
- Hosts suggest trying two-eyed shooting, especially for skeet and sporting clays, to boost performance in doubles.
- Technical advice from Ricky and Zach on how to approach this transition, with encouragement to “leave ego at the door” and accept initial setbacks for long-term improvement.
Memorable Exchange:
- ([25:20] B: Ricky): “Open that eye up, girl.”
- ([25:22] D: Lacey): “I know, I just don’t want my scores to go down.”
- ([25:34] B: Ricky): “They’ll go down, but they’ll come up and be at a higher plateau.”
11. Equipment and Gun Fit ([30:08]–[31:42])
- Shoots a Kohler, TA high rib unsingle.
- Uses modified/light-mod chokes, 60/40 on doubles, 80/20 on singles.
- Adjusts setup for skeet/sporting as needed; hosts offer advice on experimenting with tighter chokes on second barrel for doubles.
12. Clubs, Practice, & Local Scene ([34:06]–[34:50])
- Regular practice at Harry Koch (Omaha), Blair (Nebraska), and Harlan (Iowa).
- Blair highlighted as a new, beautiful club with a focus on youth shooting.
13. Advice for Female Trapshooters ([35:50]–[36:17])
- Lacey emphasizes gun fit as vital for women, noting challenges in finding properly sized equipment.
- Encourages confidence, not being afraid to ask for advice, and getting out of one’s comfort zone.
Quote ([35:50] - Lacey): “For women…it’s a little bit tougher to get the right gun and gun fit, so I would say focus on gun fit first... and always be confident in yourself. Don’t be shy.”
14. Shell Selection & Preferences ([37:18]–[39:47])
- Singles: prefers 1145fps, 1⅛ oz.
- Handicap: "Super Handicap" loads (Double As, 1200 fps)
- Does not use reduced-recoil or one-ounce loads—prefers heft and performance.
15. Future Aspirations: College and Beyond ([40:10]–[41:27])
- Plans to seek a career in ag business, but would love to work in the shooting industry (e.g., with a shotgun company).
- Will continue traveling and shooting with family after college events.
Quote ([40:10] - Lacey): "...would love to stay in the shooting business—like, work with, I don’t know, Elite Shotgun or something."
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On First Success ([09:48] - Lacey): “After I won my first medal, that's when I really liked it.”
-
On the Importance of Mindset ([11:04] - Zach): "If you don't believe you can win, you can't win. Sometimes you have to believe you can break 200 before you actually do it."
-
On Team Chemistry ([18:02] - Ricky): “I always squadded kids that worked well together. If you shot well together, then everybody would come up and lift up.”
-
On Being an All-American ([03:47] - Ricky): “She made the Lady I All-American team. So she's a phenomenal shooter.”
-
On Advice for Women ([36:00] - Lacey): "Always be confident in yourself. Always go out, ask for advice, don’t be shy—because I was very shy.”
Important Timestamps
- [02:21] — Lacey joins, introductions and her competitive resume
- [04:01] — College life at Midland, balancing disciplines
- [05:29] — How and why Lacey started trapshooting
- [08:22] — Iowa’s massive high school trapshoot program and her dad’s role
- [09:48] — Shift from dislike to passion: first medal win
- [13:10] — Achieving "the sweep" in high school: singles, doubles, and handicap
- [16:18] — College national team selection process
- [19:28] — Lacey’s bucket list goals in trapshooting
- [23:17] — Technical dive: shooting style, eye dominance, and adjustments
- [35:50] — Advice specifically for female shooters
- [40:10] — Post-college ambitions: ag business and possibly working in shooting industry
Final Thoughts
This episode offers an engaging view into the journey, mindset, and achievements of a top young female shooter. Lacey Gangwish’s story is compelling for both aspiring competitive shooters and those interested in the evolving landscape of youth and college trapshooting—especially women entering the sport.
Key Takeaways:
- Confidence and mindset are crucial to breaking through barriers.
- Proper gun fit is especially vital for women in shooting sports.
- Embracing multidisciplinary training and peer learning lifts all shooters.
- Don’t be afraid to try new technical adjustments (like two-eyed shooting).
- Building rapport and team chemistry is just as important as scores in a collegiate setting.
For More:
Subscribe for future episodes and follow along as Zach & Ricky continue to spotlight the next generation of trapshooting talent and legends.