Weather Can’t Stop Foley’s Aidin Payonk At State Championships

A local trapshooting teen, who has been on a tear recently, competed at the Minnesota State Trapshoot in Alexandria and took home some hardware. If you aren't familiar with Aidin Payonk yet, you should start to be, as this young man is impressing people both in and outside the fast-growing sport.

Another State Shoot, More State Championships

Aidin had a great showing at the state trapshoot in Alexandria. I had the chance to chat with his mom, who has been kind enough to keep me up to date with how he has been doing at competitions. She told me that he competed at higher levels than someone his age typically competes in, and ended up winning a few competitions, with others coming down to a shootout, where Aidin won one and lost one.

Check out Aidin's haul from the state shoot!

Doubles Champion, Singles Runner Up

Aidin competed in 13 events over a 6-day period, where he competed in two shoot-offs, winning one and losing the other, as well as endured competing in windy and rainy conditions during the state shoot. Aidin did win the 2025 Sub-Junior Doubles Championship, as well as coming in as the runner-up in the 2025 Sub-Junior Singles championship, after a 75-shot shoot-off.

Foley Residents Are Taking Aim At State Titles

Aidin isn't the only Foley resident who has their sights on state titles. The Clay Target State Championship was held recently. Delayna Rife won the female division! Congrats Delayna!

Trapshooting Is Wildly Popular

If you aren't familiar with trapshooting as a sport, and trust me, I am still learning about it, it's one of the fastest-growing sports amongst high schoolers, and the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League is the largest of its kind in the nation. 

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The future of trapshooting is bright, and that future looks to possibly have Central Minnesota ties.