Colton Kant and his dad Al step to the 16-yard line as a light breeze rolls through the crisp grass surrounding the Rapid City Trap & Skeet Club.

Using a monotone voice, Colton activates the voice-released clay target system. Two targets fly into the sky in front of him, one to the left, the other to the right.

In a single movement, Colton brings his gun to his shoulder, swings side to side and shatters both targets.

Then he does it again. And again. And again.

Al Kant stands a few yards away, mimicking the same action. Both are calm and relaxed, hitting more targets than they miss. But later, when asked how he compares to his son in shooting skill, Al Kant just laughs and shakes his head.

At 14, Colton Kant has propelled himself to the top of the trapshooting sport. In February, the New Underwood teen was named to the 2008 sub-junior (14 and younger) All-American Trapshooting Team. That places him in the top 20 shooters nationwide in his age group.

In addition to making the team, Colton also has compiled a slew of reputation-making wins both in his age group and among all shooters (see list).

With Colton's many accomplishments already in hand, Greg Johnson of the Rapid City Trap & Skeet Club fully expects to see him in the Olympics someday.

"That's the next logical step down the road for him," Johnson said. "It's pretty rare air he's walking around in."

Al Kant introduced his son to shooting years ago, hoping to find a positive father/son activity. After taking a hunter safety course, Colton and his dad, as well as his grandfather, Albert Kant Sr., joined a local shooting league.

In 2005, Colton joined the area Scholastic Clay Target Program team at the Trap & Skeet Club, but not before turning down the chance to join the team in 2004 when it conflicted with baseball.

By 2006, Colton had won the Wyoming state competition and began to turn his attention away from baseball and more toward shooting. It's been his passion ever since.

The winter months make practicing difficult, but during the summer, Colton shoots 100 to 200 rounds three to four times a week. During a week-long competition, he will shoot 1,200 to 1,400 rounds. "It takes practice, lots of practice," he said.

Johnson credits Colton with an uncanny ability to turn his teenage energy into a laser sharp focus during competitions. "I'm always amazed that he can kind of harness that and focus it down. He's really good at wiping out those distractions," he said. "And he's just fearless about the fact that he'll go up and shoot against very experienced shooters."

Colton has developed a routine for competition. He always wears the same tan cap. He takes a look at the targets before every shoot and calms his nerves with a deep breath before bringing his gun to his shoulder.

"I try to think about breaking one target at a time," he said. "A lot of time, it's just your mindset. Seeing the bird and thinking of nothing else but breaking the bird."

Although Colton admits he loves to win, that's only part of why he loves shooting. Colton competes in tournaments all around the country. Because of that, he's befriended countless other shooters, both his age and older. Several weeks ago, an adult trap shooter from Minnesota who once shot against Colton called to congratulate him. The two talked for more than an hour about shooting. "I like meeting people and getting to travel," Colton said.

While Colton has gained a reputation as the king of calm during competition, his mother doesn't claim the same ability. "I pace. During his shoot-offs, I'm a wreck," said Ellen Kant.

"She gets so nervous," Colton laughs. While he gets a chuckle out of his mother's anxiety, Colton makes a point to acknowledge his parents.

The sport of trap shooting is an expensive one, from the shells to the guns to the travel expenditures. Often, only Ellen Kant can travel with him while Al Kant stays on their ranch near New Underwood. The family also began home schooling Colton this year so he could travel to more tournaments.

These sacrifices are not lost on Colton.

"I wouldn't have made it at all if it weren't for my parents," he said, listing just a few of the things they do for him. "I could go on and on."

Ellen and Al Kant smile at their son's acknowledgements. Then Al and Colton silently pick up their guns and walk back to the 16-yard line. With little conversation, the two fall back into their previous shooting routine. As the echo of the bullets rings across the prairie, Ellen Kant smiles proudly before sitting back to watch them shoot.

Colton Kant's accomplishments

Here are just a few of the accomplishments of New Underwood trapshooter Colton Kant:

n Named to the 2008 sub-junior All American trapshooting team

n Sub-junior champion in preliminary doubles at the Grand American, a 13-day tournament in August hosting 5,500 shooters.

n Four trophies at the Autumn Grand, a satellite tournament of the Grand American in November 2006.

n Six awards at the Dixie Grand, including the sub-junior singles and all-around titles. The event was held in January 2007.

n Winner of the younger-than 15 singles championship plus five additional prizes at the Southern Grand, held in March 2007.

n Handicap championship at the Spring Grand in February 2007, beating 700 competitors. (Handicap competition requires participants to be assigned a yardage from 19 to 27 yards. Colton competes with a 27-yard handicap.)

n Named to the 2007 South Dakota State Trapshooting Team.

Contact Lynn Taylor Rick at 394-8414 or lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com.