Salinas receives shooting scholarship

Hampton-Dumont's Ruben Salinas has signed a letter of intent to play for the RedTails Sports Shooting team at Hawkeye Community College.

Salinas is part of the Top Guns shooting club and has become a rising star in the field over the last six years, ranking seventh in a national amateur trapshooting organization and being named captain of the All-Star team.

"It's fantastic," said Top Guns coach Ray Baltes. "He's been a coach's dream student."

Salinas has been awarded a full athletic scholarship to Hawkeye Community College, which will allow him to attend tuition free as he joins the school's shooting team.

"It's exciting for him," said his mother, Sara Salinas. "He gets to keep shooting, so that's awesome."

"He's come a long way in a short time in the sport," said his father, Rick Salinas. "Once he started, he took off like a rocket."

"Ruben is a good shooter," said Troy Emley, head coach for the RedTails. "He has the drive and determination to do well in the sport."

Salinas had his eye on several schools, but Hawkeye Community College was the school that offered both sports shooting and a welding program.

"I'm pretty excited," said Salinas. "I'm pretty lucky to have this opportunity."

Photo

Ruben Salinas signed a letter of intent to join the RedTail Sports Shooting team at Hawkeye Community College on Tuesday, March 8. The event was celebrated by his parents, Rick and Sara Salinas; extended family JoAnnYoung and Isabella Salinas; and coaches Troy Emley and Ray Baltes.