Larson views the addition of sports sporting as a good match since many area high schools have team. “We are really pleased about adding sports shooting as a varsity competitive collegiate sport at Iowa Lakes in an effort to serve the communities and counties we represent. Adding sports shooting just makes sense due to its local interest and growth,” Larson commented.

            Larson also feels fortunate to be hiring Kalsow.

           “Rick will be a good asset for Iowa Lakes. First and foremost he is a high level national competitor in the sport. He has also coached for numerous years and has been very successful. He is proven in the sport and our athletes will receive great instruction.”

            Kalsow certainly does bring numerous accolades both as a competitor and a coach to the program. He has been shooting competitive trap for 49 years as a member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA).  Kalsow was a member of the 13^th squad to record a perfect 500 x 500 in the singles. He was a 13-time ATA industry All-American and has shot over 400,000 registered ATA targets.

            He also brings a great deal of coaching experience. Kalsow knows what it is like to start from scratch. Three years ago he started the first trap shooting team at Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D., which was also the first collegiate trap shooting team in South Dakota.

            Kalsow has been the head coach of the Okoboji AIM Trap Team (Academics, Integrity, Marksmanship) for the past three years. Kalsow said of this opportunity, “I am looking forward to coaching a college team again, as well as having the opportunity to recruit some of my former shooters.”

            A graduate of NDSU in engineering, Kalsow worked at Berkley in both Spirit Lake and Emmetsburg for a total of 28 years. He lives with his wife Susan Kalsow in Arnolds Park.