The Fort Bragg Clay Target Center in Spring Lake, NC, was the site for the Paratrooper Open on July 6-8, drawing a total of 88 competitors – including 14 youth shooters – from NC, SC, GA, TN, NY and AZ. Despite a rain delay Friday and a heavy downpour during the 12-gauge and into the 20-gauge event, shooters persevered and posted very good scores.
Junior shooter Riley Dellinger won the HOA shoot-off to win the Paratrooper Open with a 395. He had the Paratrooper Trophy in his sight for several years and was happy to accomplish this goal. HOA runner-up was Mark Smith (395), and Stuart Brown (393) was third. HOA plaques were also awarded to Sub-Junior champion, William Davis (357); Junior Champion, Riley Dellinger (395); and Lady Champion, Kristen Masencup (381).
HOA class winners were Jay Bunting AAA1, Scott Graham AA1, Larry Blount A1, Jared Sberal B1, Steve Lloyd C1, Dariel Dellinger D1 and Doug Brown E1.
Riley Dellinger won Doubles with a 99, out-scoring 43 competitors. Chris Bates and Kevin Hostinsky scored 97s and won gun runner-up and third, respectively. Class winners were Jim Lindell AA1, Jay Bunting A1, Carter Brown B1, Steve Lloyd C1 and Tim Dove D1. Sub-Junior Champion was William Davis, Junior was Riley Dellinger, and Kristen Masencup was Collegiate and Lady Champion.
Noah Dove and Larry Blount shot perfect scores in the 12-gauge event. Junior shooter Noah Dove won the shoot-off, with Larry taking runner-up. Jay Bunting won a shoot-off to win gun third with a 99. Class winners were Stuart Brown AAA1, Charles Lawley AA1, Gary Gorrell A1, Jared Sberal B1, Steven Russell C1, Bill Kluttz D1 and William Davis E1. William Davis won Sub-Junior with a 95, Noah Dove won Junior with a 100, and Kristen Masencup won Collegiate and Lady with a 97.
There were four 100 straights to shoot off in 20 gauge: Stuart Brown won champion; Riley Dellinger, runner-up; Richard Nixon, third; and Mark Smith, class A first. George DeSanto won AA1, Jared Sberal B1, Steve Lloyd C1 and Dariel Dellinger D1.
After shoot-offs and dinner Saturday evening, surprisingly, many shooters still had energy to participate in a challenging shooting game where random teams of two shooters shot trap targets from the skeet stations. It was very entertaining and a lot of laughs for the shooters and observers.
Sunday was a nice sunny day for shooting. The 28-gauge shoot-off of 100s resulted in Jay Bunting winning gun champion and Riley Dellinger, runner-up. A shoot-off of 99s determined gun third, David Stevenson, Scott Graham AAA1, Victoria Stellato AA1 and Mark Smith A1. Other class winners were Stephen Campbell B1, Steve Lloyd C1, and Mike Restall D1. Sub-Junior champion was William Davis, Junior champion was Riley Dellinger, and Collegiate and Lady champ was Victoria Stellato.
The final event, .410 bore, was won by Paul Stemac, and runner-up was Jim Lindell. Scores of 97 shot off, with Chris Spinder winning gun third, Riley Dellinger AAA1, Kevin Hostinsky AA1 and Henry Hardin A1. Classes were Mason Watkins B1, Jim Spinder C1 and Doug Brown D1. Sub-Junior champion was William Davis, Junior champion was Riley Dellinger, and Kristen Masencup, Collegiate and Lady Champion.
Several shooters met personal goals at this shoot. Parker Rowan, a Junior shooter, shot his first 25 straight in 12 gauge. Nancy Roberts shot her first 25 straight in 28 gauge.
