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Bethel Park senior wins WPIAL rifle title

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 6 min read
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Bethel Park’s Travis Zeis hunts deer with a crossbow.

With a rifle, however, he bags WPIAL championships.

When he was of legal age to secure a license, Zeis started hunting with his father, Robert, and his friend, Marty Lips.

“I enjoyed it, but I don’t remember getting much, maybe a doe,” said Zeis. “I’ve done it a few times with a rifle, but I’m better with the crossbow.”

Lying prone on a mat at the Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Sportsmen Club Feb. 19, Zeis was better with the long-barrelled firearm. He bested a field of 84 shooters to capture the 2021 WPIAL individual rifle championship.

Zeus became the first BP student to win a WPIAL rifle title in almost 20 years. He is also the third champion from BP. Nicole Cheberencheck won in 2002 and Mike Ruffing won in 2001.

Zeis also broke a streak of five consecutive female champions in the event and he did so by the narrowest of margins as the top three finishers all shot 200-18x scores. Zeis, however, scored six centers to slip past Hympfield’s Lydia Dunn, who had five bullseyes, and Waynesburg’s Tayler Burnfield, who collected two.

Nerves got the best of Zeis before and after the shoot. During the competition, he said he he took “deep breaths” and cleared his mind.

“Not thinking is good. If I think, I get nervous and worry,” said Zeis.

Since he shot in the first relay, Zeis had less time to think as he recorded 100-9x with three centers on his first 10 targets. He then repeated that mark on his second 10 targets.

“I knew I shot a good score, but I didn’t know if it would be high enough at first because we had to wait around for the other relays to see if it stuck for the lead,” Zeis said.

When he learned he had won, Zeis said he was surprised initially.

“I did not wake up that day thinking I would shoot as good as I did,” he said. “I was happy and excited that I could be first, but it was overwhelming for me because I wasn’t expecting that.”

Zeis had no reason to believe he would do well because two days prior during the WPIAL team championships he had shot a 99-5x as the Hawks finished fourth overall with a 797.50 score. Hempfield won the team title with a score of 799.60, while Trinity followed with a score of 798.57 and Waynesburg took third with a score of 798.47.

“I did significantly worse so that match did not give me much confidence heading into individuals,” said Zeis. “It didn’t discourage me either because each day is a new day. You can’t focus on past targets. You have to forget about those shots.”

According to BP rifle coach Tom Benedict, resolve propelled Zeis to victory.

“Travis was successful because he has the ability and the willingness to solve the challenges in developing new skills,” the coach said. “When something worked he hung onto it and when something didn’t he could let it go. I think his diligence and never quit attitude paved the way to his capturing the WPIAL title.”

For four years, Zeis has worked on his shooting while balancing a part-time job at Mister Magic Car Wash in Mt. Lebanon and playing the trumpet in the school’s marching, concert, jazz and symphonic bands. The former affords him an opportunity to think and the latter helps his composure.

“It’s a fine balance,” said Zeis, who also maintains a 4.3 GPA. “When I work I can think about fixing the problems that are necessary to correct and playing trumpet helps with my breathing and my mental state.”

In a shooting competition, Zeis said he needs to “keep a level head” and remain “calm” until the 20 targets are shot.

“It requires a consistent tempo and thought process,” he said. “Occasionally, I sing songs that are in my head, but most times it’s nothing. I’m in the moment.”

During practices, Zeis shoots two targets five days a week. Though competitions are timed, Zeis said that’s not what takes the most time. Aiming at the target does, especially positioning.

“There’s a lot that goes into shooting. It’s not just laying down, looking and pulling the trigger. It takes time to develop and practice.

“Perfect practice makes perfect,” he added. “You can shoot one good score, but you need consistency.”

Zeis discovered that formula by working closely with Benedict, who still shoots competitively.

“Travis has the great combination of persistence and coachability,” Benedict said. “Over the years we have worked together to find what worked for him and to develop his set-up, shot process and timing to produce his consistent performance and have it come together at just the right time to produce the win.”

As one of two senior captains, Zeis also has been a valued assistant to Benedict and a strong leader for the underclassmen.

“Travis consistently mentors and helps others find solutions to their challenges, finding what works for each of them to produce similar results as his own,” Benedict said. “He is a fantastic young man, consistent with everyone around him and always willing to support teammates. Cheering them on or taking extra time to make everyone around him better.”

Zeis helped the Hawks roll up a 10-0 record during the regular season, a section title and a berth in the state championships after a fourth-place showing in the WPIAL.

While Zeis was BP’s eight-place shooter in the team competition, Alex Markunas was the top gun with a 100-8x score. Eric Halligan, Owen Chaffin and Maxwell James followed with 100-7x totals. Liam Tena shot a 100-6x.

Sierra Kuzak, Marissa Wycinski, Zachary Bush and Nico Bartelo also contributed in the WPIAL competition and were slated to shoot in the state team competition set for the Frazier-Simplex Rifle Club in Washington.

In addition to Zeis, Graceann Foster of Mt. Lebanon and Bella Romann from Upper St. Clair finished among the top 16 in the WPIAL and advanced to the state championships.

Travis Zeis

Age: 18

Parents Robert and Rebecca

Siblings: Reed, 12

School: Bethel Park

Year: Senior

GPA: 4.3

Sport: Rifle

Activities: Marching, Symphonic, Jazz, Concert Bands, Interact Club

College choice: Pitt or Penn State

Major: Engineering

Favorite subject: Math. “The nuances interest me.”

Color: Green “When I look out a window, I like to see the grown grass and the leaves on tree.”

Food: Burgers.

Restaurant: “That’s hard because since COVID, I haven’t been many places. For a while it was Red Robin and Eat ‘N Park (for their burgers) but Al’s Cafe offers something for everyone.”

Book: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.

Movie: The Star Wars Triology

TV: Gravity Falls.

Who would you like to have dinner with: My maternal grandmother because the only memory I have of her is a picture of her holding me when I was really little.

What have you missed most during the pandemic: Visiting relatives. “I used to see my cousins, aunts and uncles and grandma on different days of the week. Since COVID there has been little to look forward to.

Lesson sports has taught you? Patience and focus.

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