From High School Champ to Lady I All-American: Iowa's own Lacey Gangwish | Trap Talk Ep. 160

Summary

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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

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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."

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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."

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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.”

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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

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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.

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For More:
Subscribe for future episodes and follow along as Zach & Ricky continue to spotlight the next generation of trapshooting talent and legends.

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Transcript

[A]

Welcome to season four of Trap Talk.

[B]

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You know, Rick, the only thing looks better than these hats we're wearing right now is a bunch of gold and silver from Ron Prescott at Midstate Precious Metal. Show them the goods.

[B]

Listen, all I got silver right now, I won't bring the gold out for.

[A]

Zach, but you know I always want to get that gold.

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Shotgun shells, 10 ounce bars. Folks, he could do anything for you. For all your shoot needs, give Ron Prescott a call. Midstate Precious Metals dot com.

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He's a great guy. Support him.

[A]

He supports all the shoots. He supports Trap Talk. If you're thinking gold or silver, you need to be thinking Ron Prescott at Midstate Precious Metals.

[C]

Thank you, Ron.

[B]

That's right. Thanks for all the support.

[A]

I just love the way they're covering all the shoots across the country. The content, the pictures, what they're doing online, what they're doing on Facebook, Instagram. What do you think?

[B]

Yeah. Traption usa, it's a great magazine. They are the official magazine of our podcast and we are the official podcast of Traption usa. So we really appreciate it.

[A]

That's really cool. And what they got is a deal right now. If you put Trap Talk P in for the print version and Trap Talk.

[C]

D for the digital version.

[A]

It's nice. 19.99 for the print and 9.99 for the digital for one year, you're not going to find a better deal. So subscribe today. You won't regret it.

[B]

Absolutely. Thank you for all the support.

[C]

Welcome back Trap Talk listeners. I'm your host, Zach Nannini and I'm here with my co host Richard Marshall Jr. Rocking that outlaw hoodie look.

[B]

Gotta rock the outlaw today.

[C]

We gotta run that outlaw. We love them.

[B]

They do great.

[C]

We just had Coop on the show the other day. That was a lot of fun and, and we had so much fun we figured why not get a couple more young guns on the show. So we've got Lacey Gangwish from Iowa. Welcome to the show, Lacey.

[D]

Yes, thanks for having me.

[C]

Ricky, would you mind introducing young Lacey for the audience listening today? Yes, absolutely.

[B]

So Lacy hails from Council Bluffs, Iowa, correct?

[D]

Yes.

[B]

So which is only got 60 miles from me, just right across the border. So. But Lacey is a two time high school state champion. She made the female all state captain in 23 and 24. She made the 27 yard line down in Tucson in 2024. She made the Iowa state team the last three years and she most recently made the lady one all American team. So she's a phenomenal shooter. And as you can see on her shirt, she goes to Midland University, which is in Fremont, Nebraska. So she's on the team there. So. And you have won, you've won a couple recent deals this year for college, right?

[D]

Yes, I have.

[B]

What were they? The.

[D]

I won the doubles down in Fort Hayes. That's the very first shoot. And then I just recently won the singles down at, at my last shoot in Lincoln.

[B]

Oh, okay. That was, who put that shoot on?

[D]

It was the Monocats. Imitational.

[B]

Okay, so that was.

[D]

Can't think.

[B]

What is it? Southeast Community College.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

Okay. Yeah, that's a newer team.

[C]

So.

[B]

Nice. Well, perfect. Well, welcome to the show.

[C]

So you're, you're, you're in school, you're. You're unlike some of the guests we have on. You're educated.

[D]

Yes, I am. Try to be.

[C]

That's good. So, so what, what year are you in and what are you studying?

[D]

I am a sophomore and I am studying ag business.

[C]

Okay, and how big is the team that you're shooting on?

[D]

It has 42 kids on it.

[C]

Okay, so do they shoot all the disciplines or is it just focused on trap or how is it shooting on that team?

[D]

Well, my coach has it set like you kind of focus on your main discipline. But we shoot everything. We shoot like doubles double ski trap, regular ski, sporting, super sporting. Just. He has a shoe.

[C]

Yep. Did you shoot that stuff before you went to college or is this the first time you started shooting it now?

[D]

I kind of, I kind of did the sporting and the skeet, but I mainly just stick to trap.

[C]

Okay, so. So shot trap a lot before and then now shooting a little bit of everything. Do you think that shooting everything is, is helping with the trap game at all or do you feel like it hinders you sometime or what's your opinion on it?

[D]

I think you have to like switch like through your mind. Like it's like you have to focus harder on like sporting. Like it takes a little bit more thought and then traps kind of like laid back. You don't really have to think too much about it. So that's why I like trap out.

[C]

I got to keep those thoughts down in my mind. I don't want things to start running and wandering. That's why I. I do love a good round of singles, you know. Ricky will tell you I'm single shooter for life.

[B]

Single specialist right there.

[C]

Single specialist. You heard it here, folks. So, Lacey, we want to know how long have you been shooting and what made you start into the sport that we all love?

[D]

I started about my sixth grade year. I think I've been shooting for about nine years now.

[B]

Okay.

[D]

I don't know. My dad just found a high school team in my. At my high school and then we kind of just started it. Kind of. I originally hated it at first, but then I grew to love it.

[B]

So talking about that now, in Iowa, did you just shoot singles in high school or did you shoot handicap and doubles also?

[D]

Well, we did like the SCTP league, so. Okay, like hand, we did handicap, but it was only 25 yard line in high school.

[B]

Yep. Yeah.

[D]

And then we did the singles and.

[B]

Doubles and so see, that's the difference where I've taught some schools over in Iowa before, some youth teams and they do shoot all the disciplines versus like Nebraska's high school program where it's just singles and handicap.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And it's same deal, 25 yard max in the handicap. But a couple of teams I talked to and taught a little bit and then some other ones are like, ah, we don't know about, you know, doing the doubles and stuff. I said, well, it's perfect for the kids going on to college.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Because they already got a jump start on shooting doubles. What's that?

[D]

It definitely helped a little bit.

[B]

Yeah. And it'll, it'll help if you could shoot doubles. You shouldn't have a problem shooting, you know, some of the sporting true pairs or shooting the skeet doubles. Because it's, it's similar. I mean, just a lot more gun movement in skeet and of course in, in sporting too, than trap. But that is now. What high school did you go to?

[D]

I went to Underwood. It's up kind of just north, South. North east of Council Bliss.

[B]

Yep. Yeah, I was gonna say not north south, but it's.

[D]

It's okay.

[B]

You're getting that college education.

[D]

Oh, yeah, I sure am.

[C]

That's okay. Don't let them pick on you. We just say north south is right in the middle. That's where it needs to be, baby.

[D]

Yeah, whatever.

[B]

Now, did you have a big high school team then or was it just kind of average?

[D]

Or we had about 60 kids, but we also had kids from like other schools around Council kind of. Because it was just like a club. We just took the Underwood name. We just weren't affiliated with the school.

[B]

With the school. Okay. So yeah, just. You basically took surrounding high school kids and it just made a club for the sctp.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. Which you could do that versus if you were strictly in the high school deal.

[C]

You.

[B]

Now, did you shoot in the Iowa State High School trap shoot ever or.

[D]

No, the like.

[B]

Well, they shoot just the regular that's always over at. At Cedar Falls every year in the summer. Is that SCP deal or is that.

[D]

Yeah, that is.

[B]

Oh, okay. I didn't know if it was or if it was just something different with that.

[D]

No. Yeah, we have. I think my dad said we had about 3,000 kids that come every year.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah. No, it's big cuz that's a huge program. Yeah.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

So for most people don't know that. You know, Lacey's dad is the current president of the ista, the Iowa State Trap Association.

[C]

Yeah. And we're gonna have him on the show because we want to hear all about, you know, what Iowa's doing to make their state shoot great. I mean, obviously they have the added money that they do there for the. The Hunter Straits and handicap, which that's pretty awesome. I mean, not a lot of places are doing things like that. And you know, your dad obviously is a big. A big fan of the show and he told us, hey, I love listening and we pick up tips and we use it. And so we would love to have him on and. And pick his brain. But I guess, you know, parlaying that into your relationship with your dad. Did he shoot before you shot or were you the first one to pick up trap shooting in the house?

[D]

I was the first one.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

We just did a lot of like, he does a lot of deer hunting and pheasant hunting and fishing. He didn't really pick up the trap shooting. He just kind of saw and went for it.

[C]

So for you, you were the first one. And like you said, you really didn't love it at the first when you started because you're probably young and it was hard to hold the gun and, you know, that kind of thing. What shifted to where you started to say, wow, I really love this, and it become a lot more fun for you.

[D]

I say, after I won my first medal, that's when I really liked it.

[B]

So you got your first win and you were like, hey, I can actually win this.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

So going on with now, how many. Like, do you know how many hundred straights you have? Or have you broke a 200 straight or.

[D]

I actually have no idea how many hundreds I have.

[B]

You've got quite a few, though.

[D]

Yeah, two hundreds. I have been super close. I have a couple 99. 199s.

[B]

Okay, so you're right there.

[C]

So we're waiting on that 200. This year is gonna be your year at the grand. Right at the clay target, you pull. Pull a Barrett debris and just go out there and run the first 200 out.

[D]

I wish I could do that. I'm not as good a shot as him, everybody.

[B]

You're only as good as your last shot. That's what I always say.

[C]

You.

[B]

You.

[C]

You know, it's all about my mindset and positivity. So, you know, the first thing. And Ricky told me this a long time ago, he says, if you don't believe you can win, you can't win. So the first step is you have to put yourself in a position where you believe that you can do the job. And sometimes it's kind of. It's. It. I don't want to say fake it till you make. Make it, because I hate fake it till you make it, but. But sometimes you got, like, for that 200, I had to believe that I could break 200 before I ever broke 200, because you gotta have that. You know, that, like, okay, I can do it. I can do it. I can do it. And then once it happens, then, you know, you can do it. But in this game, it's always about believing in the things that you haven't done yet in order to achieve them and then actually build the confidence to, you know, to be able to do it again and again and again. And it definitely. Obviously, you broke hundreds and singles, and once you broke that first one, it was like clockwork.

[D]

Right?

[C]

I mean, then they just started coming.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

So once you get that 200, it'll be the same way. Once you get that monkey off your back, then it's just a single specialist all day long.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. No, and that's one of the things, is, like, Zach said it, you know, I told him that a long time ago, is if you don't believe you can do something, you can't do it. And that goes in everyday life, everything. You know, if you don't believe you can do this or that, then you won't accomplish it. So it's one of those in shooting that you. When you're out there shooting, we've talked about this a lot is you're out there shooting against you no one else, you know, isn't, you know, even in college stuff, all you, it's the same deal. Just like ATA is you break all your targets. All you do can be. Is tied. You can't be beat till the shoot off. So that. That makes a big difference. But, yeah, you'll. You'll get your 200. That's, you know, just tell your dad, just keep shelling out some, you know, ammo money and target money.

[D]

I keep saying that he's gonna go broke.

[B]

That, hey, that might be, you know, you never know.

[C]

You know, getting. Getting back to you. I. I know you said once you won your first medal, it started to become more fun for you. You know, how long did it take before you really felt like you were getting, you know, good and competitive? Was it year two years, three years? I mean, when did you say, okay, I can really do this?

[D]

Well, I say, probably my freshman year of high school. I was just going up to having fun, and then I won my. I pretty much won it all. I won the singles, doubles, and handicapped. And I was like, oh, I actually can do this. So then I started joining, like, the ATA stuff then was winning more and more stuff. Just felt confident, more confident about it.

[C]

So you beat the brakes off all those high school kids, and then you said, oh, this is easy. Let's go take on the ata.

[D]

Yeah, then I wanted to go after the leather bags and then the buckles. Just wanted all that stuff.

[C]

Do you got some pretty leather bags and buckles that you love?

[D]

I got a few.

[C]

There you go. And that's what you. Right when you're starting. I could remember those days when I was so focused on, man, I wanted to win this thing. And then you actually win it. And it's like, it checks it off your list now. And it just makes you feel accomplished because you put it in your mind and then you work towards it until you finally get it, which is really, really, really cool. So for you is, are you shooting more during your college season? Are you shooting more during the summer? What's the balance now that you're actually on a shooting team as your shooting schedule goes?

[D]

Well, I shoot quite a bit during college, but now we're kind of like on the, like, not shooting as much right now, but we'll pick it back up in the spring. I say I probably shoot. I think it's about the same.

[B]

Now. What's your schedule then? So you're not shooting now. So what will Be your first shoot, then coming in the spring, then it.

[D]

Just depends if I make the nationals team. Okay, so it just all depends on that. And then if I make the nationals teams, we have five shoots in the spring, I'm pretty sure. And then nationals.

[B]

Oh, you got five shoots in the spring that you guys go to.

[D]

Or maybe it's three. I really don't know. I haven't looked that far. I was just trying to get through.

[B]

Interesting.

[C]

It was.

[B]

It was.

[C]

It was a lot for us when I was at Linden. What. I mean, it was, you know, at least four or five shoots going into nationals. It was always cold, though. I remember, like, how cold you were, you know, before we went out there. It's like the worst time of the year to be shooting. And the Midwest is that November to. To March. You know, it's like, ah, this is kind of crappy. And. And I. And I feel for you with those. With those finals. Those are not. Those are not the funnest things to. To worry about. But the good news is that they'll be behind you, and then you don't have to worry about it anymore.

[D]

Hey, I passed them all, so I'm all good now.

[B]

There you go.

[C]

There you go. So you're smart. Smart and a good shot. That's important.

[D]

I try to be.

[B]

So, Lacy, you talked about, you know, making the. The nationals team, so talk to us a little bit about that. How do. How do they figure that for you guys at Midland? Is it, you know, go on, just. Strictly just your practice scores, your prior merit? What. What all do they take into account there?

[D]

Well, so, like, when I was at my last school at Simpson, it was just. You kind of just had, like, some scores and you would qualify. So I went national last year to nationals, and. And then at Midland, it's. He. You can only take 20 kids for D2, I'm pretty sure. And then. So I. So I shot, like, during the fall. I shot on the trap squad the whole time, and I traveled to all the shoots, so I think I have a good spot to go to nationals. So I think it just depends on kind of like, who works best together. And then I. To be honest, I have no idea how he's going to pick the national squad. So just when I get back, I'll know.

[B]

You'll know right away.

[C]

Well, I think that that matters to. Actually, we taught. Me and Ricky talked about this before, like, picking the shooters that. That really groove together. Well, because, you know, you could have one guy that's an amazing shooter, but if he, you know, he doesn't shoot well with the team, and, you know, and you got five guys out there. Or maybe he's always picking fights or telling everybody how great he is, you know, know that that's not as good as maybe someone that maybe doesn't shoot as good as that person. But he is a really good teammate, and he helps the whole team, you know, feel better and shoot a better score. I know that when we shot our best scores, we were always putting the guys together that jived, you know, they were the. You know, they kind of fell into their cliques and they, you know, these are good friends. We're good to go. There was never any drama or any issues or any arguments. It wasn't, you know, it wasn't, oh, I'm better than you, or you're better than me. It was, you know what? Let's go out there and let's do our best as a team, and let's see what we can do. These other guys. And the end of the day, you got to shoot your targets because it's not a team sport.

[B]

But.

[C]

But you want to. Well, it is that. That.

[B]

It is a little bit of a team. It's individual, but college is a team is a past. Coach. I always squatted kids that. That worked well together. I didn't care if. If, you know, post. I always put post one as someone that could handle shooting. Post one? Yeah, you know, control everything. But everything else. I didn't care if you broke 90 out of 100 or 100 out of 100. If you shot well together, then everybody would come up and lift up versus just you didn't want to ever. I never did the, you know, number one, number two, number three, number four, number five.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Squad one. You know, by how they shot, it was like, hey, who wants to shoot together? And I had a couple. Like, I want to shoot with some. Okay, fine. You know, make it work. As long as you go out and win, I don't care.

[C]

Hey, as long as we. As long as we protect that retirement package, I'm good. Go win some stuff. But. But that's, you know, that's really cool to hear that you're getting to shoot these other games and you're. You're excited about Nationals. You're enjoying a period of your time of your life that, you know, really goes by pretty quickly, and you're going to meet a lot of really great people that you could hang on to into the future for your ATA goals. Do you have any things that are on your bucket List that you're trying to get accomplished in the next few years. Accolades or championships or specific goals.

[D]

I would love to win a lady one up at the Grand American. Okay. One of the lady one trophies.

[C]

There you go.

[D]

Get like my 100, my 200 in singles, and then like my hundred and doubles. I've been close in doubles.

[C]

And then how far have you been in doubles?

[D]

I've shot a couple 98s.

[C]

Okay, what do you've run the first 50 and then do you know how deep you got or.

[D]

I know I usually shoot about 49s. I shoot 49 and I'll go shoot another 49.

[C]

So 49. 49 is the mix.

[D]

Yeah, 49 is my lucky number so far.

[C]

Well, there you go.

[B]

Hey, if you can average. If you can average 49, it's not a bad thing. 98 average, because you do average 98 in singles. So now, now, speaking of the shooting side, have you had any coaching besides the high school stuff or your dad helping you? Who's. Who's really helped you and. And mentored you into shooting?

[A]

You know, Ricky, I know you used it on your barrels, but do you even know what RGS stands for?

[B]

No, Zach, what does it stand for?

[A]

Really good.

[B]

Well, that is true. It is good stuff, folks. I use it to clean my barrels, and it does make them shine.

[A]

Only problem is I wear white T shirts when I clean my barrels, and I get them all messy, so I got to be better at that. But it gets all the plastic, all the gunk out. Give them a try, folks.

[C]

They're great.

[B]

That's right. Give RGS a try. We appreciate all the support.

[A]

You know, Rick, when you're walking down the line, you see smoke ball after smoke ball after smoke ball. What do you think it in your head?

[B]

I'm thinking there's some good set targets, and they got to be a white flyer.

[C]

They got to be white flyer.

[A]

I mean, we were just at Nevada State. Shoot. We were shooting these things for the 27 yard line. They look like 16 yard smoke balls. And I'm like, only a white flyer can smoke like that. And we love them. And they've been sporting the show since day one.

[B]

That's right. Thanks for all the support, white flyer.

[A]

Rick, I really think that gunfight is probably the most important part of shooting big scores. Would you agree with that?

[B]

Absolutely. I think gunfit is the most important thing.

[A]

I mean, most of the top all Americans are shooting custom stocks. I know when I got my custom stock, my scores went up. I broke 100 straight from the 27 within seven days. I mean, I'm sure your experience has been similar.

[B]

Yeah, I've been shooting a custom gun stock for 20 years. Winig. If you want to win championships, get a winning gun stock.

[C]

Yeah, call Bobby, call Luke.

[A]

I mean, we got the stock whisperer over there. Bill. Give them a shot. They're great and they know what they're doing.

[B]

Absolutely. Winig.com. check them out.

[D]

Well, Ryan blows. Actually helped me a lot with my doubles.

[B]

He needs to help you some more. You know, if you can only break 98. Tell him I know. You talk to him.

[D]

Ryan's helped me. I kind of just learned everything from my dad pretty much.

[B]

Okay, so just kind of. And then you're. Now, do you get much coaching it at Midland or. Or what?

[D]

Jake helps me out quite a bit. And then, like, there's some all American kids on my team, too, so they'll, like, help me, too. And then there's, like, good skeet shooters and sporting shooters that help out.

[B]

Oh, really? So are you getting help by everybody then?

[D]

Yeah, everyone kind of puts their advice in. If you're, like, struggling on something, they'll help you.

[C]

Okay. That's always great because I feel like there's always something to learn from somebody in another sport. Like, I learned so much about rotation and looking at targets from the skeet shooters, and I learned so much about timing and framing the shot from the sporting clay shooters. You know, it's just there's a lot there that you know. And then they've kind of learned, okay, how to be repetitious in the trap game. And we work on what we're doing here. I guess now that we're getting a little bit more technical, what. What do you do in your trap game? Are you like me and Ricky, where you're down on the house and you're chasing everything out, or are you a little bit higher gun hold or what's. What's your specific style, Lacey?

[D]

I hold down on the house because I can't see it if it, like, comes over my barrel, so. And then I'll just chase it kind.

[C]

Of one eye shooter, one eye, two eye.

[D]

Yep, one eyed.

[C]

One eye. So one eye. Do you close the eye or do you use the tape or the dot?

[D]

I close my eye.

[C]

And right handed?

[D]

Yep.

[C]

Okay, so right handed, one eye closed on the house, hold still, target comes out. You chase it down?

[D]

Yep, pretty much.

[C]

Now, are you changing that from singles to doubles to handicap, or is it pretty much the same in all three games?

[D]

I say singles and doubles kind of the same handicapped. I just try not to chase as much. I'm like, slow down a lot more, I guess.

[C]

Yeah. Less gun move back there. Yeah, yeah. Which makes sense. So you're not having to drive the gun as far and cover as much distance because the geometry from the fence, you're making little, littler faster, more precise moves.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Which isn't, you know, not, not a bad thing. I mean, you're just, you're matching gun speed with target speed is what you're doing, you know, and, and keeping the gun moving. Now, have you ever tried shooting with tape on or anything?

[D]

Nope.

[B]

The reason I say that is, you know, we, we talked a little bit about, you know, waiting on Zach to get on this podcast because, you know, he took a little while, but it's okay, we'll, we'll let him off.

[C]

Lost another percent.

[B]

Lost another percentage. Me and John gained percentage. But so why I say that is when we were talking a little bit about like sporting and stuff, you know, if you're struggling in that, you know, shoot one eye, that sometimes, if you have tape on tape with your eye open gives you depth perception. So. And then even possibly, you know, if you now you don't have any tape on your lens, so you could almost squint shooting sporting. Are you trying wide eye dominant or no. Or do you know that Are you truly right eye dominant or left eye dominant?

[D]

I think I'm truly right eye dominant.

[B]

So. Open that eye up, girl.

[D]

I know. It's just, I don't want my scores to go down.

[B]

Yeah, well, here's the thing. They'll go down, but they'll come up and be at a higher plateau.

[D]

Really?

[C]

Yeah, yeah, a hundred percent. And I, I would tell you if you are a right eye dominant shooter, right handed shooter, and you have that extra eye, I mean, not to get too technical here on the show, but that's kind of what we're here for. You know, you don't, you don't, you don't, you know, you don't drive with one eye, you know, and so you don't do anything, Anything you do, you don't do it with one eye. And I really think that if you don't have a dominancy problem and you're willing to work on it a little while, I think the overall impact of your game will be astronomically better if you can shoot with two eyes open. Especially when you're shooting the games with angles ski, sporting clays, because you need that vision when there's two birds in the air and they're in different parts of the field. You need to kind of peripherally see what's going on. And you know, I would, I would just start, start shooting two eyed on the skeet in the sporting place. And then you could, then you could integrate it into the trap because you're probably not going to lose that much in those games anyway because you've never shot a lot of them. So see if that, you know, see if that truly looking at the target and using two eyes and if you could use two eyes and learn how to shoot skied in sporting clays, then when you try it in trap, it's gonna be a lot easier than trying to start. Start with trap because you're so ingrained on a trap field and you're so used to seeing that picture in those spots that it's probably gonna take you a little while longer to unwind that spring and retool that. But start with those other games. You're gonna learn a lot about catching a bird.

[B]

What you want to do, Lacy, is, is go out to the skeet field and Start on Station 1, High House and shoot some. Both eyes open, shoot some low House, Station 1. Then go around, shoot Station 7, same deal, low houses, some high houses. Then go over to like station four and try which station four. I mean you're putting a lead, no one to two feet maybe depending on your gun speed on the target and you know, and shoot the, the high houses in the low houses and with both eyes that those three stations. I've done that with, with a lot of students that have had some dominancy issues. Meaning they say they're left eye dominant and shooting right handed and technically they're right eye dominant. So I do that. I'll take them right to a ski field because it's something they haven't shot a lot of. You know, I've shot a lot of skeet so you know, I could shoot sometimes on incomers bother me on skeet because I'm not used to shooting them, you know, the low outs and stuff. So much so. But I've done it where I've tried to shoot it one eye closed. And yeah, you're at a big disadvantage especially in those games. You're in more of a disadvantage in the ski sporting than you are in trap doing it.

[C]

Oh yeah, yeah, way more. And I think if your goal is to break that hundred and doubles, if you figure out how to shoot two eyes and you get that other eye for doubles, you're gonna be like, oh Crap. Now I know what's going on on that side because I'm sure on post one, when you're breaking that first shot, you're almost going over there blind. Like, you're almost kind of like, where's that target? And cutting over to it versus, you know, you have that other eye open and you're like, there it is. And then bam. You know, so there, there's some advantages to it. You know, I would, I would recommend anybody listening that's truly dominant and shooting on their dominant side. Yeah. To start to play with it and spend some time with it. You know, if you're, if you're cross dominant or the left eyes dominant, you shooting right side, right eye, then I totally get it. And I would totally say, yeah, use the tape, close the eye because you have to. But. But you're one of those lucky people that has the opportunity to advance even more and more and more if, if you can, you know, put the time in and the effort. But like you said, it's not fun going backwards and, and that that happens. But you got to leave your ego at the door and just say, well, where do I want, where do I want to get to?

[B]

Right?

[C]

What, what, how high do I want to get? And you know, that's, that's wonderful, I guess, you know, for gun setup, point of impact chokes. Do you know what you used in all the different games and kind of how you got your gun set up and what kind of gun you use?

[D]

Yeah, I shoot like a Kohler and then for like my single barrel, I use a modified. When I shoot singles in the handicap, I'll go to a light modified, light full, and then doubles. I think I'm usually light mod and then mod on the top. So I kind of open my pattern up quite a bit and then I shoot like a think 60, 40 on doubles and then like a 80, 20 on singles, something like that.

[C]

Okay, so a little bit higher on your single barrel. Is it, is it an unsingle?

[D]

Yep.

[C]

Now, is it one of those flat rib traditional ones or is it more like the high rib? The ta.

[B]

The ta high rib.

[C]

Okay, so you've got a ta high rib and then you got the single barrel shooting a little bit higher because obviously you're probably acquiring things a little bit faster with the one eye in singles than you are in doubles. And doubles you're a little flatter because I would assume with one eye you're probably taking that second shot a little bit farther out.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Then you're not, you're not Shooting it real quick, right? Yeah.

[B]

So if you're not, go ahead. Sorry.

[D]

We made my single barrel kind of a little bit flatter, so then like it's a little bit easier for the ski. So I'm not like, wait, I don't have to be so far underneath of it when I'm shooting like ski or sporting.

[B]

Okay. So if you're shooting a light mod and a modern doubles, and if you're riding them out there a little bit, you might want to go to a like improvement on your second shot.

[D]

Yeah, I know. I just. I just don't know the right stuff, I guess.

[B]

Rip the band aid off and do it.

[C]

That's I guess.

[B]

Tell your dad.

[A]

You know, Rick, I was at the Autumn grand and the Nevada State shoot and I was just really impressed with how I could see where my squad was when I was up. Just the technology, the ability to be able to see what options I've played if the event's paid or not. I mean, what's your experience with, with the app?

[B]

Listen, SOS Clay's app. It's the best thing out there, folks. You can see everything. It's great. You see your option payouts. You can see when you're up, you can see who's paid on your squad. Sometimes Zach doesn't pay on time, but it's.

[C]

I get out there.

[A]

But what I really think is, is for gun clubs, it's free. Call Greg, get a hold of him. He'll set you up. He'll get you running. Right. And if you pay the the premium once a year, you get free pre squatting in all the shoots. And that's the best value in trap shoot.

[B]

Absolutely. SOS clays dot com.

[A]

Hey, Rick, we got to take a second second. We got to thank Outlaw Engineering and the Freston family for supporting trap shooting and supporting trap Talk podcast. They've been here for us.

[C]

They're great people, you know.

[A]

You know them real well, Rick.

[B]

Yeah, I, I've known Randy since 1988. R2 and the family, they're great supporter of the show coupe. Just won the Autumn grand handicap championship with a 97.

[C]

I know, I was there.

[A]

I got to interview him.

[B]

It was great.

[C]

I was so proud of him.

[A]

He's doing a great job.

[C]

Hashtag, where's Coop?

[A]

He's somewhere with that big buckle. He's having fun. So that's you need anything engineering related.

[C]

Get a hold of Outlaw.

[A]

They'll take great care of you. Great folks.

[B]

Thanks for all the support. Outlaw.

[A]

Hey folks, we really want to thank Remington for supporting the show. Since day one, I've been shooting the STS, ounces and eighth light eights for singles and doubles and the Nitro 27 from the 27 yard line ounce and eight, seven and a half. They make a great product. You should give them a try. And as always, thank you for the support.

[B]

Yeah, well, and it's one thing is. So with you're. You're shooting the same gun then for all the disciplines?

[D]

Yep.

[B]

Okay. So yeah, having it shoot a little flatter is going to help you for sure in the, the ski and in the sporting clays, you know. So I, Yeah, I would recommend that though, you know, with how you have everything set up is going out and shooting the skeet and the. In the sporting two eyes and give it a whirl, you know, especially over the break. I mean, Today it was 50 degrees here. Actually it was like 55 or something in Lincoln.

[C]

I was shooting today, so, you know, better than the.

[B]

Oh, did you. So where's your, your local club? Where do you practice at? Is it in Omaha?

[D]

Yeah, we go to Harry Coke quite a bit.

[B]

Okay. What other clubs do you shoot at?

[D]

I shoot at Blair. It's up in Nebraska, like over in Nebraska. And then we'll go to Harlan over in Iowa quite a bit. So those are about the only clubs I go to. It's about what's all around here.

[B]

Yeah, Blair's at Blair's a great club to go to. They just built that.

[D]

It's beautiful.

[B]

Four, five years ago. Is that about right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

I haven't been there yet. Do they have any big shoots there or is it just a small place?

[B]

Yeah, small ata and a lot of you stuff. Big on the youth.

[C]

I'm always interested in checking out new gun clubs that are across the country. I've seen a lot of gun clubs when I started shooting because at the beginning it was all weekend shoots and it wasn't big shoots. Now that I've kind of went to the big shoots, you know, the big shoots stay at the same place every year. So once you see the club, you kind of know like, okay, this is where we're going every year versus, you know, check out these little weekend four trap places that I really, really enjoyed shooting, you know, coming up and learning. Different presentations, different targets, different backgrounds, different everything. So, so, you know, it seems like you got a lot of really cool stuff going on and it seems like you're, you're, you're moving in the right direction. Is there any advice that you would give to other lady shooters that are maybe listening to the podcast inspired by everything you've done, you know, to help them, you know, advance themselves in the game. Any. Anything you'd like to give the. To the ladies listening.

[D]

For females, I would say the something I've always struggled with when I started out was gunfit. It's a little bit tougher, I feel like, for women to get like the right gun and gun fit. So I would say focus on gun fit first and then like go from there. And then like, always be confident in yourself. Always go out, ask for advice, don't be shy, because I was very shy, and then just get out there, I guess.

[C]

And that's great advice. I mean, that's. Yeah. You know, we talk about gun fit being the most important part of the whole game. If the gun doesn't fit, you're gonna struggle and have a hard time. And I think, you know, I'm sure a lot of these guns off the rack are not designed for petite girls. They're designed for, you know, guys. Right? And. Yeah, yeah. Now if you have, you know, I guess like with the, like. We had Maddie on the other day and she was talking about shooting a siren and, you know, she told me that that's more designed. They design those guns specifically and size them a little bit more for females, which I think that's fantastic. And that's a great idea because, you know, I mean, let's face it, you know, you get a big old, you know, hunk of lumber and a 35 inch single barrel and you got some, you know, you know, girl that's five, five out there shooting trap. It might be a little hard for her to, you know, get that thing up for sure.

[B]

Yeah, no, absolutely.

[C]

Do you shoot as far as shells? Do you shoot lighter loads for recoil reasons or do you like what, what are the. The like. Like to. To shoot for signals, Doubles and handicap.

[D]

For singles, I shoot like 1145 eights. And then for handicap, I'll shoot Super handicaps. Double A's, the 12.

[C]

So you're not scared?

[D]

Oh, no, I feel like they get out there faster. I don't know, just something my dad gave me. So then I've always shot them.

[C]

Well, they do. They got a whole powder keg behind those charges, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Sometimes.

[C]

I'm walking down the line and I hear artillery howitzers going off and I'm like, oh, geez, there's the double A field. That guy's. That guy's shooting those. Because I'll come grooming and and my legs start to tremble. I mean, but that's why I just shoot those smooth little nitros. They just. They just kind of get.

[B]

Oh, yeah, here we go.

[C]

But. But it's.

[A]

It's. It's.

[C]

It definitely. It definitely gets down range quickly, I'll say that much.

[B]

Yeah. What is your.

[C]

Do that, though, without, like, coming off the gun?

[D]

Yeah, it doesn't really bother me. I don't mind the recoil.

[B]

It's usually so. For doubles. What. What's your shells for doubles? In first shot and second shot, I.

[D]

Usually just shoot 11:45. For both shots.

[B]

For both shots? Eights on. On both shots?

[D]

No, actually, I shoot 1200s for my second shot. I haven't shot them for a while, but for College, we shoot 1200s for both shots.

[B]

Oh, for both shots.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

No, Nobody wants to keep their teeth in doubles in college.

[D]

Apparently not.

[B]

Tell Jake from. From State Farm. No, tell Jake over at Midland to get some lighter shells to shoot.

[D]

I know. I like the 1145s for the first shot.

[C]

Oh, yeah, for sure. So you're an ounce and an eighth. Girl, you're not using one ounce.

[D]

No, I hate one ounce so much.

[C]

I do, too. Why not throw as much lead at them as possible?

[B]

Listen. Yeah. If the ATL let us shoot an ounce and a quarter, I'm shooting an ounce and a quarter.

[C]

I'd be pushing all down in there. Yeah, no, that. That. That makes a lot of sense. And it sounds like you've, you know, you've made a lot of progression in your career. You. You. You're very smart. Obviously, you've got some great goals. Is there anything else today that you want to share with the audience before we get out of here?

[D]

No, not. Just keep shooting.

[B]

Well, I got a question for you real quick before we get out of here. What is some of your goals for the college stuff? So you're. You're going into ag business now? What do you want to do after college, and what's your. Your goal after college? Do you know yet?

[D]

Find something within the ag business, I guess. And then I would love to stay in the shooting business, like, find work with, like, I don't know, elite shotgun or something. I would love to be in the shooting business, but I don't know. Something.

[B]

Okay. Okay.

[C]

Pretty sure you could do it because you're very smart and you're a good shooter, and if you just get, you know, the education that you need and you let people know, hey, this is what I'm looking to do. I'm sure Somebody would love to have you on the sales team somewhere in the country. So you. There's, there's always, there's always a spot in the shooting world for, for someone that's focused on it. And, and if you, if you make it your priority and you do everything you can to put yourself in that environment, I can almost guarantee you'll be able to find something.

[D]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

It's just about talking, talking to the right people and such. And so what. What's your shooting schedule look like for 2026 after college shoots?

[D]

Well, I travel around with Lanny like this. Like last year I traveled with him and shot at the state shoot. So I'm hoping to travel with him again. And then wherever he goes, I'll go.

[B]

Getting that free ice cream that's a shout out to Lanny's. Lanny's been kind of mad at me. I. I've been on the weight loss kick, so I haven't stopped by. I got too many ice creams where I used to.

[C]

He still loves me, you know, Rick.

[A]

I just love having the peace of mind and knowing that if I'm traveling or I'm flying, something happens, I can get my Winig and my Kragoff replaced quickly and easily without costing me a bunch of money.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. The gun and trophy insurance, it's the best out there to ensure your guns. Sure. Your trophy, animals, everything.

[A]

Thank you to the whole Cushman family for supporting the show and everything they do for Trap Shooter.

[B]

Absolutely. Get a hold of Cole Cushman and he'll get you set up.

[C]

You know, Rick, I know you had.

[A]

A lot of involvement with them since the beginning, since they started, but I really love the way that the Shot tracker, you know, catches the doubles from shot to shot with the looping. You know, tell the folks what they need to know about that system.

[B]

It's the best system out there. It's like having a coach on the end of your barrel, like we say, but going especially in double from first shot to second shot. You can see it on the graph. You can see it on video.

[C]

Yeah, I mean, if you talk about.

[A]

That J Hook with Sean Holly and all them, I mean, it'll literally show that loop. And I think that's really powerful if you're doing it. They've supported the show since the beginning. They love trap shooting. They're great people. Give them a shot, folks. They make a great product.

[B]

Take aim technologies.

[A]

You know, Rick, when you're riding around your air conditioning and your nice can am and I'm Walking. I'm thinking to myself, where do I get one of these things?

[B]

At Big Red Motorsports, that's where you get one. George or Jason Lee, they'll take care of you, Zach.

[C]

I mean, I need one.

[A]

I'm tired of riding on the back of that cooler. I want to sit inside that cab and roll around in style.

[C]

I mean, my face is on the back, but help me out.

[B]

Listen, I'm going to move your face to the bumper is where it's going to get moved for the new one, okay? All you need is a little quiche and we can take care of you. But listen, Big RedMotorsports.com thanks Jason and George Lee and Big Red Motorsports for all the support. They'll take care of you folks. And it's free delivery. Zach, that's cuz you go over there and eat ice cream all the time.

[C]

It's good for you. It's healthy, I swear. Lanny's ice cream helps with hunter shreds and doubles. I'm telling you, it's. It's that peach. You heard it here first. You want to bust 100 doubles, go get you some peach ice cream.

[B]

No, Lanny's a great guy. So. Yeah, Lanny hits, you know, a lot of the Midwest stuff and of course, you know, Wyoming and such. And now are you going to be going down to like the spring grand or, or.

[D]

No, some of the kids on Midland, they travel like they'll go to the spring grand. So yeah, depending on like on the national stuff, I might try to go. I would like to go down to it.

[B]

Okay. Well, it'll be a good shoot. Hopefully we'll. Zach and I'll be down there. Yeah, it. Hopefully the weather is good. You know, we've had some snow and horrible weather in the past.

[C]

You really never know what that shoot.

[D]

Yeah, well, I went to it one year, 2024, and yeah, I don't think.

[B]

It was bad then.

[D]

It was windy.

[C]

That's about it.

[B]

Yeah, it's.

[A]

Yeah, that's.

[B]

That's normal for two.

[C]

You're gonna get wind. But when you got that rain and that snow coming in from the side, that's a little less fun, I bet. Not so good.

[B]

No. I've been there when we've had inches of snow.

[C]

So that's, that's not. Why not? Why I go to Arizona in the springtime. I'm trying to leave this freaking death pit of Missouri that I'm living in with the cold weather. And then you go there and you pray for the good weather and tacos and then when they come with that stuff, you're like, man, I don't know what I did, but they're. They're getting me all the way around this year.

[B]

That is true. So.

[C]

Well, Lacey, you know, like I said, you're a great shooter. We really appreciate you taking the time to come on the show and let people know about your career and let people know about your shooting so far and what you're looking to do. And. And I'm sure we will. We will have you on the show again someday once you check off some more of your accolades.

[B]

That's right.

[C]

We really appreciate you. We wish you good luck. We wish you good luck at your Nationals. Hopefully, you'll be on that team. You let us know when you make it and. And we'll see you soon. And for everyone listening today, like Share Subscribe Send in your questions. Wear your trap Talk merch proud. Ricky's got his hat on.

[A]

He's looking good.

[C]

Marshall special right there. The camo. He's always running. And. And we'll see you next Friday. Thanks for tuning in.

[B]

Shoot. Well, everybody, good luck.

[C]

Sat.