Last spring, Parker Rensch saw a flyer on the wall at Denfeld High School in Duluth, Minnesota, promoting the school’s trapshooting team, the Denfeld Clay Hunters. Since he enjoys shooting games, Parker was eager to try out for the team. But unlike other new members, he faced an additional challenge. Parker is deaf and the members at Proctor Gun Club, where the Denfeld Clay Hunters practice and compete, initially voiced concerns about his participation.
Danny Hallfrisch, one of the Denfeld Clay Hunters’ coaches, said the gun club had never worked with a deaf student before and, at first, there were concerns about safety. “But then he started to prove himself,” Hallfrisch said. “He took it seriously from day one. He understands that this is something where someone could lose their life, and he doesn’t take that lightly.”
As with every team member, the coaches carefully went over all the safety rules with Parker and his family to ensure everyone fully understood them. Still, due to initial concerns, Parker had to shoot alone when he first started. But he was determined to prove he belonged on the team.
“I’m the only deaf shooter, so people were worried I might hurt someone or that I didn’t understand what was going on,” Parker said.
“At first, I had to shoot alone, and that made me sad. I had to work hard to show people I was safe. Being deaf can make it hard to be part of a group sometimes.”
“I have an interpreter named Maria who helps me understand what everyone is saying. She’s very important for my safety—and for everyone else’s. She’s like family to me.” “The shooting part is easy. I know the rules. And Coach Danny stands behind me, he’s my ears. He’s important too. He trusted me and believed in me.”
Even now, Parker’s interpreter Maria Murphy always accompanies him and Coach Hallfrisch stands behind him while he is shooting. Coaches Dave Gilberg and Jay Thompson from the Proctor Gun Club have helped him with proper gun mount and stance as well as safety. Coach Dawn Mahon, from Denfeld High School, helps keep track of scores and also makes sure Parker’s mom, Jennifer, understands the rules.
Thanks to his determination to learn and the help of a great team, Parker now shoots as part of a full squad during practices and competitions. Being included and part of a team means a lot to him.
“Once we got through all that—Parker being able to shoot with friends and be part of the team—you can just see the change,” Coach Hallfrisch said. “He smiles, and it’s the kind of smile that comes from deep inside.”
Parker agreed, “I really like shooting the targets, and I want to get better. I also enjoy being on a team with friends to shoot alongside. Last year, I made new friends, and some of them are from my classes.”
The Denfeld Clay Hunters competes in the Minnesota High School Clay Target League. It is part of the USA Clay Target League which has more than 50,000 students competing across the country. The USACTL has helped thousands of high schools start trapshooting teams and is the one of the country’s largest clay target shooting organizations. They proudly point to clay target shooting as the safest high school sport.
Dawn Mahon, head coach of the Denfeld Clay Hunters, said the team had 11 members during the spring season. As summer break ends and the new school year begins, they’re signing up students for the 2025-2026 season. Parker will be returning to the team this year.
Coach Hallfrisch has even been using YouTube videos to learn sign language to communicate better with Parker. Other team members have also shown interest in learning sign language, Hallfrisch added.
Parker is working hard to improve his shooting skills. In addition to practicing with the team at Proctor Gun Club, he also shoots at Northwestern Gun Club. He even shoots with friends from the restaurant where he works, the Boat Club, where he works as a prep chef when he’s not in school or shooting. But his practice doesn’t stop there.
“During the school year, we practice every week, and in the summer, I get to practice with friends from work, many of whom also enjoy trapshooting. At home, I practice with my family, working on where to place my trigger finger and how to hold the gun safely. My mom helps me with my stance and foot positioning.”
“In the beginning, we used brooms and a mop to practice, and my mom put a piece of tape on the dining room floor so we could take turns. Since I can’t hear the shooter next to me, it’s important to pay close attention, so practicing with my family helps a lot,” he said.
Coach Hallfrisch said working with Parker is, in some ways, easier than with other student athletes. “He’s one of our more focused shooters,” Hallfrisch explained. “Other students are autistic and they’re getting distracted with traffic on the highway behind them, other shooters, people talking. They’re always having that going on, where Parker is just focused: ‘I’m shooting clays, I’m looking down range.’ He doesn’t have all those distractions.”
Having Parker on the team has benefited both him and his teammates, Coach Mahon said. “I believe he encourages students who may doubt their ability to participate. He’s a source of inspiration to those around him.”
Parker’s enthusiasm extends to encouraging other students to try trapshooting. “I always say you should try new things; you might have a lot of fun like I have. Sometimes, you hear ‘no’ at first, but if you work hard, you can make it happen,” he said.
Parker recognizes his potential to be a role model for other deaf students. “After school, I think I want to go to college or be a coach on a team. I want other kids like me to see that I’m good at sports so they’ll try,” he said.
Though being deaf has brought challenges, Parker’s positivity and determination will certainly lead him to success. “Being deaf is okay. Being different is okay, and I hope more kids like me join the sport,” he added. Parker’s just getting started, and he wants others to know: there’s a place for you on the clay target field, too.
