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Dakota Sliger (center, camo shirt) poses with his shooting team at his college signing on March 5. Crystal Burnezky-Robertson • The Madill Record
There is nothing more gratifying for somebody than seeing all their hard work payoff in a big way. That is what is happening with Dakota Sliger, a senior at Kingston High School.
Sliger took a big step on March 5 when he signed a letter of intent to attend LindenwoodUniversityinSt. Charles, Mo. Sliger will be attendingLindenwoodwitha scholarship in Trap Shooting and he will be the first of three students to accomplish this feat this year.
Whyisthissoremarkable? It is remarkable in the fact that this is the first year that Trap Shooting has been a competitivesportatKingston High School and the one that brought it to the school was Sliger himself.
Sliger has been into competitive shooting since the young age of eleven when he started out in 4-H of Marshall County. Jenny Sliger, Dakota’s mom has been there supporting her son along the way.
“This is very exciting,” Jenny said. “He has worked very hard for this. This has been a dream of his for a very long time, so to see it all come to fruition is very exciting.”
“The shooting sports just started last year at Kingston, it’s something he’s done since he was eleven years old, starting in Marshall County 4-h.,” she continued. “Then, to the ATA where he has traveled the nation and shot, so for him to bring it to the high school and help develop that program, we are super proud of that. He hopes it will continue to grow and more kids will get into that.”
She advised parents who aren’t too sure about enrolling their children in shooting sports.
“We were very nervous about it in the beginning but for them to just start somewhere, even at your local 4-H,” Jenny said. “If you want other advice on other programs, they can shoot in then we would love to talk to anybody and help them get started on that path.”
Sliger who has worked hard for this accomplishment saidhewasveryexcitedabout the level of achievement, “It’s pretty, exciting,” Dakota said. “I have worked my butt off day and night just putting in the hours, putting in the work. Putting in the shoots and putting up the best scores that I can.”
For anyone wanting to break into this sport, Sliger said confidence is key.
“Definitely,justconfidence is one of the main keys and believing that you can do something, even if you don’t fully believe yourself, you can still do it as long as you still have confidence,” Dakota said. “Putting in the time and the work, it’s really the main key. Just putting in the time really.”
Sliger said he is grateful to his family and friends that have been supportive to him.
“Thank you to all of them. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”