The Fort Bragg Clay Target Center in Spring Lake, North Carolina, was the site for the Paratrooper Open, July 10-12. Shooters were definitely ready to see friends and break targets, and the youth shooters were tough competitors! Despite the heat and humidity, shooters persevered throughout the weekend and posted very good scores.
Mattison Russell won HOA, Lady HOA and Junior HOA with a 396. After the four-way tie of 395 was shot off, (Junior) Corrie Cloninger was runner-up, Mark Smith was third, Stuart Brown was AAA1 and Jay Bunting was AA1. Kevin Suitt was A1 (392), Michael Meyerhoeffer B1 (387), Mackenzie Morris C1 (375) and Aryssa Bowland D1 (371). Sub-Junior champion was Mackenzie Morris, and Collegiate champion was Henry Hardin (384).
Larson Harkins won Doubles and Junior Champion with the lone 100 straight. Jim Tiner, shoot manager, presented Larson with a 100-straight pin. The youth prevailed, with Mason Watkins, a Junior, taking runner-up with the only 98, and Collegiate Noah Dove winning his shoot-off with a 97 for third. Spectators were treated to shoot-offs in B and C classes. One person commented that they hated to see the B class shoot-off end – the ladies made it exciting with Anna Wood and Corrie Cloninger going into the second box before the shoot-off ended. Class winners were Jay Bunting (AA), Scott Graham (A), Anna Wood (B), Jeff McNany (C) and Josie Cloninger (D). Sub-Junior Champion was Mackenzie Morris, Noah Dove won Collegiate and Corrie Cloninger was Lady Champion.
There were eight perfect scores of 100 in 12-gauge. It was an exciting finish with Mattison Russell and Stuart Brown going into the second box in the shoot-off; Mattison won 12-Gauge Champion and Lady Champion. Stuart Brown was runner-up, and Larson Harkins was third. Class winners were Jay Bunting (AAA), Paul Stemac (AA), Brian Leazer (A), William Davis (B), Blake Argo (C), Larry Harrington (D) and Kurt Culbert (E). The youth champions each posted top scores of 100 – William Davis won Sub-Junior, Mattison Russell won Junior, and Anna Wood won Collegiate. Several shooters had their first straights — Anna Wood shot her first 100 straight, Joshua Wayne his first 75 straight and Josie Cloninger her first 50 straight. Each was presented a pin marking their accomplishment.
Kevin Suitt won 20-Gauge Champion with the lone 100 straight. Grayson Williams won a shoot-off for runner-up, and Jason Cloninger was third. Class winners were Kevin Hostinsky (AAA), Thomas Myaard (AA), Brian Leazer (A), Nathan Byrd (B), George Shuman (C) and Aryssa Bowland (D). Sub-Junior Champion was Mackenzie Morris; Grayson Williams, Junior; Henry Hardin, Collegiate; and Mattison Russell, Lady.
There were six 100 straights in 28 gauge – once again, the shoot-off went into the second box and the Juniors took the top awards. Gun champ was Mason Watkins; Larson Harkins, runner-up; and Mattison Russell, third. AAA Class had five scores of 99, with Kevin Hostinsky taking AAA1. Other class winners were Jay Bunting (AA), Clint Kreuser (A), Kadie Anderson (B), George Shuman (C) and Tim Dove (D). Sub-Junior Champion was William Davis, Junior Champion was Mason Watkins, Collegiate Champion was Blake Argo and Lady Champion was Mattison Russell.
Corrie Cloninger won the final event, the .410 bore, with the only perfect score and Corrie’s first 100 straight in .410. Stuart Brown won the 99 score shoot-off for runner-up, and Mason Watkins was third. Kevin Hostinsky won AAA, Mattison Russell AA, Kevin Story A, Jeffery McNany B, Aryssa Bowland C and Bill Kluttz D. Sub-Junior Champion was Mackenzie Morris, Junior and Lady Champion was Corrie Cloninger, and Aryssa Bowland, Collegiate.
– Contributed by Belinda Tiner