As the bullet slices through the crisp air, it makes its way to the vivid red center of the bullseye. Behind the gun, standing calm and focused, is Coppell Shooting Team president, junior Hayden Lipsey.
Lipsey’s passion for shooting was discovered as a way to spend time with his father. At age 6, Lipsey enjoyed going hunting while spending time with his peers, leading to the Coppell Shooting Team.
“It was really my dad and being able to spend time with him that inspired me to join,” Lipsey said “I realized joining Coppell’s Shooting Team was a good opportunity to get in tune with myself and it taught me good discipline at a young age. It was just something I could spend time with family and friends.”
Lipsey joined the team in hopes of improving himself both physically and mentally. Shooting taught him principles such as self-control, focus and gun safety.
“[Shooting] is more of a mental game than a physical game,” Lipsey said. “If you let your mind get messed up while shooting, you are not going to shoot well. You just have to stay focused and stay on task.”
As he progressed with the team, his leadership qualities became apparent, earning respect and admiration from his peers. At the Coppell Shooting Team banquet dinner, Lipsey’s dedication was recognized with his election as team president.
The Coppell Shooting Team aids those with the same hobbies to interact with one another which fosters a tight-knit community and strengthens the team’s bond. Lipsey met one of his closest friends on the team, junior vice president Ethan Steffans.
“I’ve known Hayden since eighth grade,” Steffans said. “He’s been on the team since seventh grade and he puts a lot of time and effort into the team, which reflects where he stands now.”
Lipsey and Steffans work at the Dallas Gun Club. To Steffans, having a job introduces a new kind of responsibility where one may uphold themselves.
“Working around the sport that we take part in, made me realize Hayden’s passion for shooting,” Steffans said. “His confidence in both his own skills and his team’s abilities is inspiring”
This confidence and passion for the sport illuminates during shooting meets, Lipsey motivates his fellow teammates with encouraging words to assist with easing frightened nerves and unifying the team.
“There are always times when you do badly, don’t do as well, or don’t get the score you want, but I mean that’s how things are,” Lipsey said. “Not everything is perfect, you never are going to be perfect, something may go wrong, you just have to fight through it.”
Lipsey’s teammate, sophomore Trevor Olmstead, admires Lipsey for his motivating words at meets but also his humor which can brighten up anyone’s day.
“Hayden is overall just a good person to be around and he’s able to cheer people up while also boosting their self-esteem,” Olmstead said “He keeps me motivated through competitions, and makes it seem more fun to shoot”.
Lipsey reflects on how shooting isn’t a common sport due to the risks. With taking safety precautions, he recommends people to try it since shooting can deliver a unique and one-of-a-kind experience.
“Just give it a shot. It could be your favorite sport you never know. I mean sometimes it gets a bad reputation for things that go around,” Lipsey said “The shooting team is great. We teach good principles, such as teaching you how to shoot safely, and we all have a fun time. I don’t think anyone has ever gone out there and disliked going”.
Follow Zaara (@sincerely_zaara) and @CHSCampusNews on X
