FROM: Eric Johnson, Bronco Clay Busters Coach

SUBJECT: Bronco Clay Busters Team Takes First Place at State Championship, Konnor Johnston High Gun Overall

On Saturday, May 31st the Bishop Bronco Clay Busters, the local co-ed trap shooting team of 6th-12th grade students, took first place in the California State High School Clay Target League Championship in Kingsburg, California. This is the first overall state tournament championship win for the Bronco Claybusters team. This year there were 230 athletes representing 24 high schools from around the state all shooting for the state title and individual wins. The five members to bring the team state title home were: Junior Konnor Johnston, Senior James Russell, Senior Ty Arcularius, Junior Trace Bloom, and Senior Brady Kalk who shot 99, 98, 96, 96, and 94 respectively out of 100 target clays. Student athletes that achieve perfection with 25- or 50-straight targets hit receive a patch to adhere to their shooting gear and recognition. Individually the Bronco Clay Busters stood out amongst the competition. Junior Konnor Johnston achieved the overall high gun award and first place in the male competition with a near perfect score of 99/100. Senior James Russell shot 98/100 to earn 3rd place overall in the competition. Team members that attended the competition this year were: Brandon Lopez, Brady Kalk, Eric Forbis, Messi Trejo, Nolan Dowers, James Russell, Ty Arcularius, Konnor Johnston, Wyatt Lawrence, Michael Trejo, William Gratz, Diego Gamino, Trace Bloom, Ellie Boyd, Brooke Bigham and Dylan Michener as well as Coach Eric Johnson and Coach Andy Russell.

The sport operates under the rules and regulations of the United States High School Clay Target League, and the Clay Busters compete against schools in the California State High School Clay Target League.The league is an extracurricular coed and adaptive activity for safety-certified student athletes in grades six through twelve on school-approved teams. The Bronco Clay Busters team has grown from 15 members in 2021 to 41 members in 2025.

The Bronco Clay Busters would like to thank the students, the parents, the coaching staff, the support staff, and their sponsors; Peter Tracy, Timberline Construction, and Mac’s Sporting Goods for making this experience possible for the student athletes.

Team members that attended the state competition this year were: Brandon Lopez, Brady Kalk, Eric Forbis, Messi Trejo, Nolan Dowers, James Russell, Ty Arcularius, Konnor Johnston, Wyatt Lawrence, Michael Trejo, Brooke Bigham, Ellie Boyd, William Gratz, Diego Gamino, Trace Bloom, Ellie Boyd, Brooke Bigham and Dylan Michener.