Charles City trapshooter Sydney North a danger for flying objects

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

NASHUA — Migraine headaches have plagued athletes long before the days of mercurial Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen.

But for Sydney North, the sport she has chosen only makes the pounding more resounding.

“Shooting a shotgun does not help much,” said the Charles City senior, who is among the top guns returning to the Charles City/Nashua-Plainfield coed trap shooting team this spring.

“You can say that’s my goal this year,” said North, who says migraines are a malady that run in her family, “to get through this season with fewer headaches.”

A rain-soaked practice Tuesday at The Nashua Fish and Game Club wasn’t the remedy. Yet, North still managed to hit 42 of 50 clay targets.

“That isn’t that bad this time of the year,” said North, whose team is several weeks away from its April 2 New Hampton Invite season opener. “I’ve shot better … I’ve gone 25 of 25 (per round) before.”

Last year as a junior, North finished fifth in the Iowa High School Trap Ladies Elite “E” League division. Then teammate Caitlyn Laube, since graduated daughter of CC/N-P head coach Tim Laube, placed third amid the “E” League.

At the end of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and State shoots at the Cedar Falls Gun Club last spring, North placed sixth in All-State. Izzy Worrall, another returning senior for CC/N-P, placed third in All-State.

It may be trite to call North a natural born shooter, but she has been toting a shotgun for most of her years.

“I was 4 years old when I went on my first goose hunt with my dad,” North said. “I’ve been hunting most of my life. I love it. I love being outdoors even in the rain. That’s what got me into this (trap shooting).

“I wanted to become a better hunter, and this has helped.”

North plans to attend University of Northern Iowa next fall where she will major in elementary education.

“And I’m looking to join their trap shooting club,” she said.