Young guns

By Connie Mertz
For The Daily Item

June 21, 2009 07:34 am

— Dylan Darhower of Mechanicsburg may appear to be a typical 16 year old student at Cumberland Valley High School, but what sets him apart from classmates is his amazing trapshooting ability. Even before he competed on the sub-junior level at the state shoot last year, he had made his mark at the Pennsylvania Eastern Zone, becoming resident champion in singles and open champion in both handicap and doubles. He added another two wins at the Keystone Open. When the state shoot ended in 2008, Darhower had another 14 wins under his belt.
His unbelievable achievements in 2008 have earned him a place in the PSSA Hall of Fame as the 2008 Trapshooter of the Year at the 118th Pennsylvania State Shoot held at Elysburg this week.
Darhower has never been coached professionally.
“Bill Gardner, the trap coordinator at the Mechanicsburg Sportsmen Association was really his mentor,” said his father, Ed Darhower. “He just picked it up on his own naturally.”
He has already competed in seven states and at the Grand American. “I shot my first 200 straight at the New York state shoot last year,” Darhower said quietly. “I want to pattern after Chris Vendel, who is one of the best trapshooters in the nation.”
His father agreed. “Vendel is such a positive role model for kids, and he really does all he can to help shooters.”
Practicing is a key component in shooting well. He shoots two to three times a week at the Carlisle Sportsmen Association, but he credits staying calm as the main reason for his success.
“I am also very competitive,” he admitted.
His most difficult event is doubles. “I shoot with one eye and I think this is what hurts me.”
Darhower is only one of a few sub-juniors who have received the recognition of trapshooter of the year. “I guess I am pretty close to being the youngest,” he said shrugging his shoulders.
Perhaps his accomplishment, reached only after one year, is still surreal.
His focus remains on shooting.
“I started out slow this year, but I am doing better.”
His father laughed. “It’s hard to do better than you did last year.”
Already to his credit, he has already attained the high overall score at both the 2009 Colonial Classic and the Eastern Zone shoot.
“He is on pace just like last year,” said his father proudly.
Despite his accomplishments in one year, he has his sights on shooting the Grand Slam.
“I got one-third of the Grand Slam now. Few people have done it, and I want to be one of them.”
Another sub junior who is competing at the PSSA state shoot is Joseph Recla, of Mahanoy Plane, near Frackville. At age 14, this is his first year attending the state shoot.
“On Saturday, I shot my first 100 straight,” he said shyly.
It is his father who has been his coach.
“We are all a shooting family,” the elder Rick Recla spoke up. “I stopped shooting for 20 years and got back into it when Joey turned 12. Now my wife, Kathy and his younger brother, Ian all shoot trap.”
Originally, Joey’s father taught him the basics of safe gun handling for hunting, but that soon evolved into trap shooting at the Keystone Fish and Game Club near Irish Valley.
“The first time Joey shot at clay targets, he got 10 out of 25. He’s been shooting ever since.”
The teen is also on the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Team, practicing twice a week.
He has also been privileged to receive lessons from Kay Ohye, a world famous trapshooter who was also present at the Pennsylvania State Shoot.
“He has taught me not to get frustrated when I miss, to turn with my lower back and not my arms, and watch the clay target before I move the gun.”
However according to Recla, the most important thing he has been taught is to “keep your head. He tells me to stay focused on the now.”
His goal is to one day make it into the PSSA Hall of Fame.
“I enjoy being able to break something without getting in trouble for it,” he said with a slight grin.
“Most people here are so friendly,” said his father. “It’s a nice place to be.”

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