The Cornhusker Nationals Trapshoot started in 1970 with Dave Wells and Jim Carlisle setting up a college dual between Northeast Community College in Norfolk and Chadron State College. The meet was held in Norfolk.
In 1971 nine colleges participated in the shoot.
In 1973 the meet included high school students for the first time and in the early 70's the meet was moved from Norfolk to the Nebraska ATA Homegrounds in Doniphan.
Junior High students were added in 1974 or 1975 depending on the source. In 1978 the meet included a high school team from Anderson California. They won the team championship in a shoot out with North Platte.
In 1975 the Cornhusker Cup was added for the top Nebraska shooter at the meet. In 1987 Dave Wells stepped down and the meet was taken over entirely by the Nebraska Game and Parks. Rocky Hoffman then directed the meet (with a one year hiatus to see his daughter graduate from the Nebraska Medical School) until 2010.
The meet has grown into a three day meet with more than 2,000 students competing. It is the premier high school trapshoot in the nation.
A lot of great shooters have competed in this event. The 1974 and 1975 college division meet was won by Frank Hoppe. Harlan Campbell lost a shootoff for the singles crown in 1980. Rick Marshall tied for the overall championship and lost a shootoff as a freshman in 1989 then went on to win the next three years. Brian Whitmer from Fremont was another three time champion. Dustin Klein holds the current record with a 2006 total of 198. In 2013 the senior high event was shortened to 75 singles and 75 handicap targets to allow everyone to shoot. Nathan Arnold from Creighton Prep won the 2014 title with a 148/150.
This is a first attempt at a history of the meet. As you will see a lot of the data is missing. If you can fill in any blanks feel free to contact me tachyonbb at gmail.com. Right now it is data intense and picture scarce. If you have any early pictures to share please contact me.
A summary of the individual winner, girls champion, team champion and girls team champion
Detailed list for each year of singles, handicap and overall champions, includes overall, girls and team information when available. This is only for the high school division. The college division, 4-H and Junior High results will be added at a later date.