Coaches Announced for BVU Trap, Archery
Buena Vista University welcomes the addition of trap shooting and archery to its collection of club sports
Buena Vista University is pleased to announce that Conner Ellinghuysen, BVU’s Director of Admissions, will serve as the coach for the archery team and Luke Zalaznik will join BVU as the coach for the trap shooting team.
Ellinghuysen was selected as coach for the archery team based on his extensive archery experiences dating back to his time as a 4-H participant. He has been an archery coach for 4-H since 2014 when he earned his Level 1 license. Since that time, Ellinghuysen has gone on to earn his Level 2 license through 4-H, which allows him to certify Level 1 coaches. He also holds a USA Archery Level 2 Instructor Certification and is working toward his Level 3 certification through 4-H.
Zalaznik, a farmer who serves his community as an Emergency Medical Technician and Fire Chief in Peterson, was selected for his wealth of knowledge on trap shooting and his advocacy for similar programs. An assistant coach for the Storm Lake Middle School and High School trap shooting team, Zalaznik is a Level 1 certified coach, Chief Range Safety Officer and Instructor, locally, and has served as Shooting Sports Director for the Iowa Junior High and High School Rodeo Association.
The establishment of both co-ed teams comes at a time when student interest in archery and trap shooting is growing, as evidenced by the number of high schools expanding their offerings to include these sports. It’s been reported that there are now more trap shooters in Minnesota, for example, than hockey players. BVU joins a growing number of collegiate institutions in fielding teams.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer archery and trap shooting to our students,” says Ellinghuysen. “Life sports like this help hone some of the same qualities our students work to improve upon in the classroom. To grow in these sports takes dedication, patience, an ability to embrace instruction, and a desire to work with their teammates for the greater good.”
“The Scholastic Clay Target program has seen increases in participation across the nation, with Iowa’s student participation rising from 1,400 student-athletes to more than 4,200 in the past 11 years,” Zalaznik says. “I am excited to help lead BVU in this new adventure.”
Both teams will begin practice in the Fall of 2022. The trap shooting team will practice at the Schaller Trap Club and archery will hold practice for its outdoor season at the BVU Athletic Complex, located just west of Vestal Street, with its indoor practices being held at the gymnasium serving St. Mary’s Catholic Church in nearby Early. Students will have their equipment checked in by their coaches and BVU staff members.
Archery and trap shooting follow leads set by recent club sport additions at BVU such as rodeo, livestock show team, and esports. Esports, which began in competition at BVU in 2020, now boasts 70 student-competitors who host practice sessions and competitions in the Esports Arena within Siebens Forum, an area that’s receiving a physical addition this summer.
“We continue to find that involvement in clubs, teams, and activities on campus leads to students who are more connected to one another and to their campus community,” says Dr. Heather Black, Vice President for Student Success. “A student who participates in any number of organizations is more invested in building upon success, and that seems to go hand-in-hand with achievements we see in the classroom and beyond.”
BVU’s archery and trap shooting teams will compete against colleges and universities in Iowa and throughout the Midwest.