Kriefski 2008 UCB Top Gun

The last shells have been fired and a Champion has been crowned. A big United Clay Buster congratulations goes out to Mike Kriefski. Mike is the defending 2007 Team Champion and also the Local 505 team captain. Mike shot a very strong, consistent season and earned the right to have his named engraved on the prestigious UCB Traveling Trophy.

Great season Local 505. Only 36 weeks until we do it again.

Week 12 - The Fat Lady Sang

Week 12 unfortunately signifies the end of our clay busting season. Hanke and Krull were M.I.A. but the rest Local 505 finished the season strong. Alex was the Top Gun in Week 12 and posted his highest score ever as a Clay Buster. Congrats also go out to Mike for earning the 2008 UCB Top Gun Award. Stay tuned for pictures and stories from the First Annual UCB Steak Fry and Awards Ceremony. 

Great season Local 505.

Practice Makes Perfect

Well, we've reached the end of another season. Much like summer, they always go by too fast. But I'll let Krully share the details of that with you.

This post is dedicated to one simple truth of clay busting. Perhaps the golden rule of consistent bird annihilation (aka, CBA), if you will: practice makes perfect.

As one who suffered from a bit of a Sophomore Slump this year, I now know one thing for certain about trap. Repetition breeds confidence. And winging it just don't cut it.

Whether that means getting out to the club on a Saturday morning (as seen here with Coach Krull - note that his whistle and clipboard are slightly off-camera). Or Tuesday Night Hunt Clubs throughout the winter. Or even mounting your gun in the basement, painting the corners. You've just got to practice. Or you don't bring home the hardware.

That said, hat's off to another great season for Local 505. First year in AA. First year competing for the club win. And first year we ever shot the trap house (thanks again, Harps).

Photo Credit: The Hankery (c) 2008

Week 11 Report

Week 11 brought beautiful weather and possibly the highest first round team scores in UCB history. The practice rounds last Saturday seemed to pay off as the Local 505 shook off some shooting demons. Krull was top gun this week with Schmalz a close second. Only 50 shells remain. Let's make them count.

The Gunslinger

Meet Schmalz, a.k.a Billy the Kid. Alex is a Local 505 sophomore and has shooting reflexes reminiscent of an Old West gunfighter. Legendary tales are told of his body counts on Call of Duty and other first-person shooting video games. Alex's years of gaming translate well to his Browning Citori and the brotherhood of clay busting. One day ol' William H. Bonney may contend for the UCB Traveling Trophy – just don't challenge him to a gunfight.

Week 10 – The Quickie

Week 10 was very uneventful and over before it began. Only three members of the Local 505 were on the line tonight as Harper and Kriefski were M.I.A.  Kriefski's bank score earned him top gun this week as he continued to stretch his lead on the team. Only 100 shells left to improve your scores.

Mr. Most Improved

Meet Harps. Shawn is four-year veteran of the Local 505 and has earned the 2008 Most Improved Clay Buster Award. His Beretta has gotten hot the last 4 weeks and is shooting well above his average. Keep wishing those birds a Happy Birthday Harps! 

Week 9 - Task Force Thunder

The United Clay Busters of America were honored to have Iowa National Guard Staff Sergeant, Adam Akers join them on a recent sortie. Adam serves with the I-133rd Infantry, Task Force Thunder, and just returned from a 12-month mission in Kosovo. Adam's presence brought good luck to John who earned Top Gun this week. In other news, Hanke only trails Schmalz by two birds is the highly contested "Race for Third Place." Only three weeks remain. 

Sometimes, We Count More Than Just Birds

After the birds have been shattered and the scores tallied, the Clay Busters are known to head to the clubhouse for a little refreshment and relaxation. Most often, this means cold cans of your favorite barley pop. Occasionally, it means the enjoyment of some of venison. And from time to time, it means enjoying a little 500.

Now for those of you who don't know your Butler County Rules from your Franklin County Rules, we'll keep this simple. 500 is a trump-based game, with partners, that involves bidding and trick-taking. But more to the point, it involves cunning, guile and a heaping helping of smack talk.

And on this recent Tuesday night, the Veteran Iowegians were outgunned by the Novice Wisconsinites. Steeped in their own cultural tradition of Sheepshead (the preferred card game of the Badger State) and Euchre (what you play when you don't have enough people or have had one too many barley pops), the Wisconsin team took two of three games in this battle of wits.

We're proud to share this pastime with our readers, and equally proud to announce that Dane County Rules are forthcoming - likely to include the elimination of the joker and the incredibly lame "No Trump" call - as well as other general improvements to this fine game.

The Race For Third Place

Everyone knows the Local 505 is united and focused on winning the club championship. With that said, there is a close race developing for third place on the team. The UCB sophomores, Schmalz and Hanke's scores are only separated by eight birds. While third place will never get your name on the traveling trophy it will make for a somewhat interesting next four weeks.