BP’s Lea lights up U.S. Nationals
Blooming Prairie's Alex Lea, left, Madi Lea, middle, and Kent Lea, right, pose next to the U.S. High School National Championship trap shooting logo after the championship round of the tournament in Mason, Michigan. Alex Lea was Blooming Prairie's top finisher with a 151st-place finish in a field of over 2,000 athletes. Photo from Facebook
Blooming Prairie High School rising sophomore Alex Lea shot a near-perfect 192 out of 200 for the Awesome Blossoms trap team at the U.S. High School National Championship (USHSNC) earlier this month in Mason, Mich.
Lea’s sharp-shooting led to him earning a 151st-place finish out of a field of over 2,000 athletes at the event.
“I was out at this same event last year and I didn’t shoot as well as I’d hoped. The nerves kind of got to me. So to come out this year and finish the way I did felt great,” said Lea.
With a score of 192, Lea connected with 96% of his targets en route to finishing in the top 8% of the field.
Lea’s last stand at the tournament was also his best as he shot a perfect 25/25 to finish up.
“It was really relieving. I was in the championship, so I was shooting well, but I was kind of hoping to shoot even better, honestly. I knew I needed a big round there at the end, and I came through with the 25.”
What makes Lea’s performance at the USHSNC all the more impressive is that the soon-to-be sophomore was dealing with an injury during the entirety of the season.
“I tore my Medial Patellofemeral Ligament (MPFL) early on in the wrestling season and then reinjured it again before the trap season. I actually had to wear a brace when I was out on the line, which was kind of annoying to shoot with because it would slip, but I was still able to shoot well without It bothering me too much.”
Lea also said that the recovery is coming along well and that he looks forward to getting back to his usual multi-sport school year where he competes in trap, football, wrestling and baseball.
However, Lea doesn’t just plan on playing sports through the end of high school.
“I definitely looking for something after school. I can’t wait to get back into football, baseball and wrestling and see if something comes about,” Lea said, adding, “Sports are definitely something I want to continue with for a while still.”
Football will be on the horizon next for Lea as the fall approaches, however, Blooming Prairie trap fans will be able to watch him compete again as the high school league has plans to integrate a fall season this upcoming year.