In a sport that demands intense focus and a cool head, Baldwin’s 13-year-old trap shooter Ozzy Neu relies on a disciplined approach developed over seven years of practice. As he recently competed in the Junior State Trap Shooting Championships, his journey from a local league to the state stage is a testament to consistent training and mental fortitude.

The passion for trap shooting runs in the Neu family, with Ozzy learning the sport from his father at a young age.

 “My dad was on the trap league by our house, and he taught me how to shoot there when I was 6 years old, and I have been shooting ever since,” Neu said.

 This foundation, built on local training grounds, has shaped his methodical approach to the sport. His weekly routine consists of firing two boxes of shells, or 50 targets, three times a week—a regimen designed to build muscle memory and resilience.

Competition, however, presents a different level of pressure. Even for a seasoned young shooter like Ozzy, a missed clay pigeon during a practice round tested his resolve. The frustration was momentary, thanks to a mental reset technique he has perfected.

 “After I miss, I say in my head before the next shot, ‘Just hit one,'” Neu said. 

This simple but powerful command allows him to clear his mind of the past and focus exclusively on the next challenge.

 “I manage nervousness by singing a song in my head in between shots,” Neu said.

The internal soundtrack serves as a shield, blocking out the pressure and allowing him to maintain the calm focus required for a perfect shot. This combination of disciplined training and mental conditioning helped him recover flawlessly from his recent missed shot, hitting every subsequent target.

Ozzy’s performance at the state championship serves as an inspiration for other young athletes. His story highlights that excelling in a sport is not just about physical ability, but also about the mental strategies developed over time. As he continues to compete, Ozzy represents a new generation of trap shooters who are as mentally tough as they are technically skilled.