Clay Target Nation

The official magazine of the National Skeet Shooting Association and the National Sporting Clays Association

New York State Championships

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The New York State Skeet Championships were held at Rochester-Brooks Gun Club in Rush, New York, the weekend of August 23-25. 

Friday’s festivities always kick off with the Referee Championship, where Dave Sobiegray’s 96 won the day. In the doubles event, only two shooters were able to break 99×100, and unbelievably, the first station settled the championship. Dan Morris clinched both the Open and Non-resident titles, while Bernard Lenehan captured his second New York State Championship. The battle of 98s for third was more like it, lasting well into the third box before Craig Parsons missed high 4 coming back the second time, resulting in David Cooley occupying the third step on the podium. Class winners, in addition to Craig, were Rick Ayers, Steve Malcolm, Glen Safford and Mark Jesske.

Saturday kept shooters under mostly cloudy skies the entire day, with a threat of rain that never materialized. In the morning 12-gauge event, only three perfect scores were recorded, by Canada’s Reg Hooper and squadmates Aaron Benton and Andrea Lehr. Less than a box later, Aaron had won both the State and Open titles, with Reg settling for runner-up and Andie taking third. Again, the battle of 99s was the one to watch, with Craig Parsons coming out on the winning side over Dess Ivanov, who settled for a spot in class. Other class winners included Dan Morris, Jeff Ventry, Brian Milanese, Ed Calabrese, John Yackiw and Joan Doyle Paddock.

Saturday afternoon’s 20-gauge event produced a half-dozen perfect scores, with another shoot-off lasting less than a box. Long Island’s Larry Bonavita captured his first New York State title, in a near-sweep of the podium with runner-up Craig Parsons sandwiched between Larry and Long Island teammate Mike Cerce on the third step. Class winners included Dan Morris, Jim Grundman, Donna Fusco, Clay Tietjen and Gregory McChesney.

The highlight of Saturday evening, the last shoot-off before dinner and awards presentations, is always the 12-gauge 5-man handicap team shoot-off. Those teams scoring 500 or better usually form a long line behind station 3, doubles miss and out by team score, to settle who wins a beautiful belt buckle for everyone on the team. However, this year only four teams qualified, with the experienced Rochester-Brooks squad prevailing over the Outlet Outlaws.

Sunday dawned sunny and clear, and the first 28-gauge flight produced a perfect score before Great Lakes clouds rolled in for the remainder of the day. Five shooters took to the championship field, where Dana Driscoll captured the title in two stations. The battle for runner-up and third lasted only one more station and resulted in Ian Smingler taking runner-up, with Ed Calabrese on the third step of the podium. Class winners included Dess Ivanov, Bob Griffith Jr., Brian Quealy, Kerry Henderson and wife Cheryl cleaning up in D class.

The afternoon .410 event totally shook up HOA standings. “It’s always the .410,” and this time the rule ruled. Brad McRae and Aaron Benton posted 99s, and in a shoot-off where both missed on the first station, Aaron won the title on the next. The quest for third lasted a little longer, with Dana Driscoll making the podium in a shoot-off of 98s. Class winners included Dess Ivanov, Zach Andruchow, Victoria Ferchaw, Michael Asel and Ron Casella.

Coming into the .410, there were several competitors down only a bird or two, but with the little gun, the cream rose to the top. In a tie of 396s, Ian Smingler beat Dess Ivanov on the first station to capture his fourth New York State HOA Championship. Aaron Benton, with the lone 395, won third outright. Class winners included Mike Cerce, Dana Driscoll, Samuel Marks, Andrea Lehr, Gregory McChesney and Joan Doyle Paddock. 

The New York State Championships is always a fun event that welcomes shooters from outside the state, and this year was an excellent lead-up to the last U.S. Open to be shot mano a mano. Thanks to Scott Holmes and his terrific staff at Rochester-Brooks, with special thanks to Roger Brooks, the world’s best mechanic who dealt with, and solved, a host of target problems. Chief Referee Dan Caryl recruited excellent pullers, and registration, scoreboards and shoot-offs ran smoothly and efficiently. 

 

– Contributed by Andrea Lehr

Pennsylvania State Championship

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The beautiful Shenecoy Sportsmen skeet club hosted the 83rd annual Pennsylvania State Open Skeet Championships on their 16-field facility in McConnellstown, Pennsylvania, on August 23-25. The weather, facilities, birds and referees were all great. Shooting at least one gun were 213 participants, including 48 out-of-state shooters from 12 states.

Alessandro Vitale, Zone 2 committeeman from Maryland, was Open HOA Champion (397) and HAA (493). Sam Armstrong, also from Maryland, was Open HOA (393) and HAA (491) runner-up. Pennsylvanians Joe Vescovi and Fran Kosmacki were Open HOA third (391) and open HAA third (487), respectively. State HOA Champion, runner-up and third, respectively, were Vescovi, Gil Rodler Jr. and Kenny Riddile. Kosmacki, Chris Kline and Riddile were Pennsylvania HAA champion, runner-up and third.

The .410-bore Prelim started the festivities on Friday morning with 44 shooters participating. Michael Zavasky was champion after he won a shoot-off of 97s with Colin Crawford; John Sarge’s 96 was good for third. Tim Botwright, Dave Cominsky, Mike Wojtecki and Joseph Gans V, respectively, took A1 through D1.

Friday afternoon, 141 participants shot doubles, with Nick Boerboon, Chris Kline and Steve Hildebrand shooting 99s and taking Open and Pennsylvania champion, runner-up and third, respectively. State class firsts, AA-D, went to Kosmacki, Frank Smithmyer, Meghan Darrough, Jeff Wright and Gans V.

In the main event, there were eight 100 straights in the 12-gauge, seven in the 20, one in the 28 and none in the .410. With the great weather, over 200 shooters and a shoot difficulty factor of 25.4, it seems like there should have been more 100s, but you never know.

Pennsylvania champions, runners-up and thirds, respectively, were: Meghan Darrough, Vescovi and Gary Nace in the 12-gauge (204 shooters, with Vitale from Maryland as Open Champion); Mark Eckert, Adam Vollmer and John Stough in the 20-gauge (199 shooters, with Mark Polek from Maryland Open Champion); Denny Lehman, Rich Vensel and Vescovi in the 28-gauge (184 shooters, with Vitale Open Champion); and, Crawford, Zavasky and Rodler Jr. in the .410 (180 shooters, with Vitale Open Champion).

Class first places for Pennsylvania were: Boerboon, Clay Gormish, Ed Call, David Darrough, Joseph DeAugustine, William Kline and Eric Mitchell (12-gauge AAA-E); Smithmyer, Josh Crofutt, Rodler Jr., Ernie Anderson, Josh Mitchell and Richard Egick (20-gauge AAA-D); Kosmacki, Brian Steinert, Smithmyer, Brad Gregory, Don Steinert and Egick (28-gauge AAA-D); and Kosmacki, Mike Rykaczewski Jr., Riddile, Joe Paul, Allison Shaffer and Mike Rykacewski, Sr. (.410 bore AAA-D).

Colby Eckert was Pennsylvania Sub-Junior HOA Champion, while Garrett Baisey from Virginia was Open Sub-Junior Champ. Meghan Darrough and Allison Shaffer, respectively, were Pennsylvania Junior HOA Champion and runner-up; John McKeel from Virginia took the Open Junior HOA championship.

Pennsylvania Lady HOA winners were Meghan Darrough, Debra Meade and Allison Shaffer (champion through third, respectively). Open Lady winners were Victoria Stellato (champion, from North Carolina), Meredith Tunick Kling (runner-up, from VA) and Angelina D’Aquanno (third, from New Jersey).

Saturday evening was very busy, including a hat shoot. Meghan Darrough and her father David both shot their first 100 straights in the 12-gauge event, and their hats were appropriately demolished. Mark Eckert also had his first 100 straight in the 20-gauge event, and his hat was disrespected as well.

After shoot-offs and the hat shoot, a brief memorial service for Pennsylvania skeet shooters who passed away since the last State Shoot was held. The deceased include Mary Louise Holtz, Tom McConnell, George Cree and Nick Sisley. Tim Holtz, Gary Trilli and Marie Palmer spoke.

Pennsylvania State Teams for 2018 were recognized, and each member received a nice wooden plaque. The Pennsylvania first team included Fran Kosmacki, Denny Lehman, Clay Gormish, Dan Felton and Kenny Riddile. Second Team members are Rich Vensel, Ethan Call, Josh Crofutt, Debra Meade and Joseph Gans III.

The PSSA President’s Cup award for 2018 was presented to Ed Call in recognition of his support of skeet in the state.

All Juniors (11 in the 12-gauge) and Sub-Juniors (nine in the 12-gauge) participating in this year’s State Shoot had 50% of their entry fees paid by PSSA. Shells used (four boxes for each event except the Prelim) were also provided by PSSA. The Fulton County, Pennsylvania 4-H Shooting Club had seven Junior shooters participating in the 12-gauge event.

Denny Lehman spearheaded a drive to solicit added money for the 2019 State Shoot. Many thanks to Denny and to Murry Gerber and Elite Shotguns, the major sponsor of the Pennsylvania State Shoot, and all the other businesses and individuals that made the donations that resulted in $11,205 in added money (see photo of donors’ banner). This money was distributed to 125 of the 213 shooters who participated in the shoot. The added money was capped so that gun champion, runner-up and third received $80, $70 and $60, respectively. All class first through fifth places received cash from added money (e.g.,12-gauge A1-$55, A2-$50, A3-$45, A4-$40, A5-$35). Attendance at this shoot has increased dramatically in the past three years, with 12-gauge entries going from 150 (2017), to 185 (2018), to 213 (2019). The added money and its distribution certainly have had something to do with that!

Mark Polek from Maryland, in a field of 20 shooters, won the BCDE Challenge shoot-off. The top prize was a Henry rifle donated by Ed and Theresa Call (thank you, Ed and Theresa!). Class champs and runners-up were awarded shells, one flat and one-half flat, respectively.

The 5-Man Team Handicap Championship shoot-off (free to all shooters, based on 12-gauge averages) involved 11 teams. The winning team members were Sam Armstrong, Alessandro Vitale, Mike Wollard, Mark Saussure and Fran Kosmacki, and each received a beautiful belt buckle.

Clair Krug (CK’s Catering) provided the delicious catered dinner for all, at no extra cost to the shooters and their guests, on Saturday night at the club. Thanks to everyone who donated to make this happen.

Kudos to Tami Daniel-Means and her hubby Al who ably handled registration, score keeping and posting; Bobby Wilkin who was Chief Referee and shoot-off announcer; the Generations Skeet Club team who handled medal preparation and distribution; and Tim Holtz, PSSA president, who was pretty much everywhere, including being emcee at Saturday night’s recognition/awards presentation event.

Special thanks to the following folks whose hard work was greatly appreciated: Barry and Lori Sheffield (Shenecoy managers), Rod Shyda (Lincoln Traps), Petersburg Volunteer Fire Company (handled the kitchen), Chuck Mattice, Bill States, Danny Moore, John Davies, Rick Grimminger, George, Brian and Sandy Garner, Carl Confer, Bill Ozanich, Wade and Charlie Schlusser, Ed Tos, Tom and LeAnn Weaverling and Mark Wickersham.

Be sure to include Shenecoy in your shooting schedule for 2020. It appears that there will be three major skeet shoots “on the hill” next year – the U.S. Open (Pennsylvania location for the i-shoot), the Zone 2 and the Pennsylvania State. It should be a blast (pun intended).

 Scores: Doubles winners-Rev1

– Contributed by George Gleich

 

2019 New Jersey State Shoot

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For 2019, the New Jersey State Shoot rotated back to Pine Belt Sportsman’s Club. As promised, Russell Paul had the machines tuned and targets flying on a string, while his good friend Scotty prepped the facility for our State Shoot. Shooters were treated to some of the best targets in the Northeast and terrific referees. This year, our State Champions won beautiful duck decoys, each one being a different species. The tournament started on Friday, July 26 with the doubles event, and Ben Galioto’s 94 earned him his second career doubles championship and a beautiful pintail duck. John Zema’s 93 iced A1, Russell Paul won B1, Tommy Surman won C1 and Jimmy Luts took D1.

The weather on Saturday morning was literally perfect for the 12-gauge event. John Zema and Florham Park’s Dr. Robert Vrablik both shot 99s. After an intense but short shoot-off, Zema won his eighth state championship and a gorgeous mallard decoy. More importantly, John’s 12-gauge title earned him an induction into the prestigious Grand Slam fraternity by winning at least one state championship in every event. Only four other shooters have achieved this goal in New Jersey skeet history: Gorge DeSanto, Joe Luciano, Russell Paul and Ben Galioto. The 12-gauge class winners were Ben Galioto (AA), Ricky “Bags” Bagni (A), Mike Costello (C), Bruce Gordon (D) and Robert Madosky (E).

Saturday afternoon’s weather remained perfect for the 28-gauge, and both Leo Nebbia and Ben Galioto made their way to the shoot-off field after breaking solid 98s. A beautiful canvasback decoy made Ben Galioto bear down and win his third 28-gauge state title. Class winners were Robert Vrablik (B), Jim Luts (C), Tommy Surman (D).

During Saturday evening’s social hour, NJSSA hosted a delicious catered dinner with dessert for shooters and staff.

The weather got a little warmer on Sunday, but this did not deter Paul Billings from shooting a hard-earned 98 and winning his sixth state title. Paul also won a stunning American wigeon decoy. Class winners were Ben Galioto (AA), Joe Hall (A), Bruce Gordon (B), Tony Viel (C) and Robert Madosky (D).

Coming down the home stretch and heading into the .410 event, both John Zema and Ben Galioto were locked in a dead heat. Ben Galioto shot a 95 in the little gun, winning his third career .410 championship and a lovely bufflehead decoy. John Zema took A1, Leo Nebbia B1, Bruce Gordon C1 and Robert Madosky D1.

This year, the HOA title and a beautiful wood duck decoy went to Ben Galioto with a 387. This is Ben’s 16th career State Championship. It’s also Ben’s fourth consecutive HOA championship, setting a New Jersey state record. John Zema’s 386 won HOA runner-up and a lovely wood duck decoy. Class winners were Leo Nebbia (A), Robert Vrablik (B), Michael Costello (C), Howie Mann (C) and Robert Madosky (D).

Thank you to all the officers whose hard work throughout the year made this state shoot possible and to others who contributed to the shoot’s success: Ed Amaty, who pulled out of the shoot to referee the entire weekend; our other two referees, Mark Bricker and Sophia Galioto, who did a superb job; NSSA and NJSSA Hall of Famer Holly Paul, who stepped up and ran our shoot; Robert Madosky, who provided us with some very cool shooting shirts; and to our membership for coming and participating in this year’s New Jersey State Championship.

 

– Contributed by Ben Galioto

Nebraska State Skeet Championship

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Saturday morning brought the Morton Buildings 20-Gauge Championship event. Kurt Mann of Kearney added another state title to his resume, shooting the lone 99 in the event. After a shoot-off of 98s, Dave Meisinger was runner-up and Corey Zenon was third. Class winners were Rob Predmore (AA), Chris Lutz (A), Adam Classen (B), Richard Burkhart (C) and Rob Hinze (D).

The Class One Machine .410 Championship event was next up on Saturday afternoon. Skies were darkening, and phones were busy checking radar all afternoon, in the hopes the event would be completed. Rob Predmore broke a 96 and added yet another buckle to his collection. Rob and his .410 like LCWGC, as he posted a 100 straight in the baby bore last year at the Conley shoot in North Platte. Dale Fangmeyer, runner-up, outlasted Chris Lutz, third, in the shoot-off of 95s. Class winners included Bill Buettgenbach (A), Deric Meisinger (B), Wayne Bennett (C) and Steve Zwiener (D). The rain and lightning finally came, and the last squad out had to finish on Sunday morning.

On Saturday evening, shooters and guests were treated to a wonderful smoked pork chop dinner. Door prizes were handed out, thanks to our many great sponsors. To wrap up the day, Deric Meisinger came away with the free entry into the 2019 World Skeet Championships.

Sunday was a day of firsts, starting with the Conreco, Inc. 28-Gauge Championship event. Jacob Uphoff shot his first ever 100 straight in the 28-gauge, and the only 100 straight in the field, to take his first Nebraska state title. Runner-up went to Jerry Classen, and third went to Dave Meisinger after shooting off their 99s. Rob Predmore (AA), Corey Zenon (A), Jim Lewandowski (B), Bill Garber (C) and Rich Johansen (D) took class honors. It is good having Mr. Johansen back in the state, as he had left for Nevada for quite a few years.

Fifty shooters took to the fields Sunday afternoon for the Anderson Auto Group 12-Gauge Championship event. Only one of those 50 shooters didn’t miss, and that was Josh Peters. This was Josh’s second state title of the weekend. Harry Walker, runner-up, outlasted third-place Don Serna and Zach Hinze (C1) in the shoot-offs of 99s. Other class winners were Predmore (AA), Bill Garber (A), Nick Degenhardt (B), Leighton Webb (D) and Cody Nelson (E). The coveted John Day 5-Man Team trophy went to the team of Cody Nelson, Ron Fucinaro, Nick Degenhardt, Mike Kirkland and Jim Stumpf.

Rob Predmore (389) came away with the Kolar HOA title. Other notable HOA results included Josh Peters, runner-up; Chris Lutz, third; Dave Meisinger (A1); Don Serna (B1); Zach Hinze (C1); Rob Hinze (D1); and Jes Crankshaw, Lady Champion. Josh Peters (482) claimed his fourth belt buckle for the weekend by winning the HAA title.

Thanks to Lincoln County Wildlife Gun Club, as well as all of the staff and volunteers, for putting on such a great shoot. Thanks also to our many of out-of-state guests who participated this year. The 2020 Nebraska State Championships will be in Omaha next year. Hope to see you there!

 

– Contributed by Chris Lutz

Minnesota State Championships

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Seventeen-year old Hayden Wege claimed championships in nearly every event at the 2019 Minnesota State Skeet Championships. He first appeared at the Minnesota State Championships in 2016 at age 14, shooting in class D with an HOA score of 355. In subsequent state shoots, Hayden posted HOA scores of 383, 389 and now 395, claiming the 2019 Minnesota State Championships in doubles, 12-gauge, 28-gauge, .410, HOA and HAA.

Hayden attributes much of his success to Tony Lowe, his mentor and NSSA Certified Skeet Instructor who also coaches for the Minnesota Youth Shooting Program SCTP team, as well his mother Kristen Wege, who serves as Hayden’s coach and is a Certified Shotgun Instructor, and the head SCTP coach for the Minnesota Youth Shooting Program. Hayden will finish high school this year and enroll at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee, where he earned a shooting scholarship.

The American flag was raised at the start of the doubles event with the singing of the National Anthem by Justin Staebell, a formidable skeet shooter who sings opera.

The 20-gauge championship was won by incoming Minnesota Skeet Shooting Association president, Jeff Schneider, who bested Hayden Wege in a shoot-off of 99s.

Class champions include:

HOA – Michael Lohman (AA), Justin Baker (A), Janice C. Lohman (B), Mark Cameron (C) and David G. Seidel (D)

12-Gauge – Mark VanderBloomer (A), Robert Muehlenkamp (B), Tate Peterson (C),

Marcus Andrade (D) and Arthur R. Peterson Jr. (E)

20-Gauge – Hayden Wege (AA), Gene J. Helsene (A), Paul Davis (B) and Harry Hoppmann (C)

28-Gauge – Mark VanderBloomer (AA), Gene J. Helsene (A), Brian Hendrickson (B), Mike Halbach (C) and Mark Cameron (D)

.410-Bore – Justin Staebell (AA), Justin Baker (A), Randy Vaske (B), Mark Cameron (C) and

Tate Peterson (D)

The Minnesota Skeet Shooting Association thanks Minneapolis Gun Club Manager, Mark Cameron, for hosting another great state championship. Thanks also to Bob Muehlenkamp and Mike Quigley for running the NSSA software, making the reservations and maintaining the scoreboard.

 

– Contributed by Ronald Chandler

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