Clay Target Nation

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

Virginia State Skeet Championships

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In a year when COVID-19 has upended all areas of life, the Virginia State Skeet Shooting Championships proved no exception. The Virginia Skeet Shooting Association Board of Directors made the difficult decision to reschedule the shoot, originally planned for September 9-13, to October 8-11, to help protect the health and safety of its members and the community of the host club, Arrowhead Gun Club.

The 82nd State Championships kicked off on Thursday, October 8, with 84 shooters registered and ready to begin shooting the 20-gauge and doubles events. The club looked wonderful, thanks to hard work and upgrades across the board. The Arrowhead State Shoot Team (led by Randy Baisey, Sharon Bolan, Herman Newcomb, Roy Carter, James Jenkins, Ronnie Newcomb, Jack Stebbins and many others not listed here) deserve huge thanks for their efforts to ready the club for competition, their flexibility during trying times, and keeping things running smoothly throughout the weekend.

Friday’s 20-gauge and 28-gauge events, and subsequent shoot-offs, became a race against daylight as the remnants of Tropical Storm Delta made an entrance earlier than predicted. Jordan Garrett captured the 20-gauge title; Muhamed Ed-Zoghbi, runner-up; and Senior Veteran shooter Bob Myers, third. Class winners were Mattison Russell (AAA), Tom Vance (AA), Dick Weinley (A), Jacob Davis (B), Charles Maddox (C), and Lee Lenhart (D). Winning the 28-gauge was John Snyder, with Jacob Davis at runner-up and Garrett Jordan, third. Class winners were Jeff Bond (AAA), Muhamed El-Zoghbi (AA), Dick Weinley (A), T. J. Wright (B), Charles Maddox (C) and Ashly Palles (D).

After shoot-offs, and during the General Membership Meeting, shooters and guests enjoyed a creatively (and safely) presented array of snacks and beverages, thanks to the hard work of Pam Hanks, John Caperton, and Bill Chiswell, and assisted by Marti, Shelby and Hannah Austin, and Stephanie and Alaina Whitley. State Teams were recognized and presented their plaques. Highlights of the evening included the presentation of VSSA Sportsman of the Year, awarded to Jeff Bond, Referee of the Year posthumously awarded to Chris Isley, and the President’s Award, presented to Lane Hartle.

Saturday brought rain. Of course it rained – it’s 2020 – but that didn’t hold back dedicated shooters making the shoot happen and trying their best to compete in difficult conditions. Jeff Bond won the 12-gauge event, Mattison Russell was runner-up and Jim Hickerson third. Class winners were Garrett Jordan (AAA), Mark Scott (AA), Jacob Davis (A), Clarence Dawson (B), Charles Maddox (C), James Reinhold (D) and James Jenkins (E). Doubles saw John Snyder, Frank Davis and Garrett Jordan capturing the top three spots.

One of the highlights of the State Shoot is always the special B-C-D-E HOA Shoot-off. Class winners were determined by shoot-offs and then the lucky four (B-Joe Helms, C-Charles Maddox, D-Roger Warner, E-Robert Tucker) returned to the shoot-off field to vie for the $100 prized generously donated by Mark Scott. When the dust settled, Charles Maddox was the 2020 B-C-D-E HOA winner. Shooters and their guests enjoyed a delicious barbecue dinner hosted by Arrowhead after shoot-offs, and some lucky shooters got to take home a variety of prizes generously donated by Billy Williams at Briley.

Sunday brought the .410 and more rain. Mattison Russell took top honors, followed by John Snyder, runner-up, and Mark Scott, third. Class winners were Jeff Bond (AAA), Tom Vance (AA), Jim Hickerson (A), Monty Sprouse (B), Matthew Hamilton (C) and Charles Russell (D). High Overall title went to John Snyder, with Mattison Russell runner-up and Garrett Jordan third. Mattison was also the Lady HOA champion, the Junior HOA champion, and the Champion of Champions. Logan Ellis, grandson of long-time Arrowhead shooter and friend to all, Ed Ellis, was Sub-Junior HOA winner. Our Sub-Junior and Junior shooters continue to enjoy the support and generosity of the Milton Mills Memorial awards and benefits, as well as the Bond NSSA Life Membership Award and the VSSA Award.

There is no way to adequately thank the outstanding shoot management team (Mark Parker, our Chief Referee, Tonda Finney, Kristi Garstang and Darlene Parker on the desk, and Darlene coordinating awards and trophies) and Tom Hill, for all their hard work to make this shoot a success. We especially appreciate our dedicated referees, who came from far and near to help make this shoot happen.

This State Shoot weekend, with all the bumps in the road leading up to it, provided many moments of wonderful fellowship, friendships, and sportsmanship, and reminded us why we are grateful for this sport we love – in good times and in bad.

We look forward to next year’s 83rd Virginia State Skeet Championships, to be held at Conservation Park of Virginia, September 8-12, 2021.

– Contributed by Hannah Goddard
– Photos by Tonda Finney and Jack Stebbins  

Pennsylvania State Skeet Championship

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PSSA held the 84th annual Pennsylvania State Open Skeet Championships at the beautiful Shenecoy Sportsmen 16-field facility in McConnellstown, Pennsylvania, on August 21-23. The weather was warm and humid with a bit of rain on Sunday afternoon. With 30 out-of-state shooters (from AZ, CA, DE, IN, MD, OH, VA and WV), 183 participants shot at least one gun Thank you so much for coming, folks! The shoot difficulty factor was 19.

Open HAA Champion and runner-up, respectively, were Vitale (495) and Armstrong (493); Vescovi (492) was third.

Open HOA winners were Joe Vescovi, champion (398) from Pennsylvania; Sam Armstrong, runner-up (396) from Maryland; and Alessandro Vitale, third (396), Maryland. Pennsylvania HOA winners were Vescovi, champion; Chris Kline, runner-up; and Frank Smithmyer, third. Open HAA Champion and runner-up, respectively, were Vitale (495) and Armstrong (493); Vescovi (492) was third. Pennsylvania HAA honors went to Vescovi, champion; Kline, runner-up; and Nick Boerboon, third.

The 28-gauge Prelim started the festivities on Friday morning with 51 shooters participating. Steve Hildebrand was outright champion after he shot the lone 100 straight. This was Steve’s first 100 straight in the 28-gauge, and he said he was glad to finally get it done. Kenny Riddile and Tim Botwright, respectively, were runner-up and third. Clay Gormish, Alyssa Gormish, Allison Shaffer, Mark Eckert and Colby Eckert, respectively, took AA1 through D1.

There were 99 doubles shooters on Friday afternoon, and two 99s were the high scores. Boerboon emerged as open champion by winning a shoot-off of those 99s with Vitale, runner-up. Alyssa Gormish was open third. Alyssa and Josh Crofutt, respectively, were Pennsylvania runner-up and third. Pennsylvania class firsts went to Kline, Fran Kosmacki, Mike Rykacewski Jr., Mark Eckert, Brady Leyo and Jerry McCullough (AAA-D).

In the main event, there were seven 100 straights in the 12-gauge, seven in the 20, four in the 28 and three in the .410.

Pennsylvania champions, runners-up and thirds, respectively, were: Smithmyer, Kosmacki and Vescovi in the 12 (181 shooters, with Smithmyer Open Champion); Kline, Boerboon and Alyssa Gormish in the 20 (168 shooters, with Fred Schantz from Ohio, Open third); Smithmyer, Rykacewski Jr. and Vescovi in the 28 (165 shooters, with Smithmyer Open Champion); and Vescovi, Kline and Crofutt in the .410 (165 shooters, with Vitale, Armstrong and Vescovi, respectively, Open Champion, runner-up and third).

Class in-state first places were won by Kline, Adam Vollmer, Hildebrand, Gil Rodler Jr., Jack Harshbarger, Vance McLaughlin and Eric Sprenkle (12-gauge AAA-E); Clay Gormish, Crofutt, Hildebrand, Roy Holtz, Marcus Rosenstiel, Jr. and McLaughlin (20-gauge AAA-D); Brian Steinert, Ed Call, Ethan Call, John Davies and Joe Gans V (28-gauge AA-D); and Bryson Fox, Crofutt, Kline, Ethan Call, Carl Biddle and Rachel Sauers (.410 bore AAA-D).

Coryn Dietz from Maryland was Sub-Junior open HOA CH. Marcus Rosenstiel, Jr., Allison Shaffer and Colby Eckert, respectively, were open and state Junior HOA Champion, runner-up and third. Open Lady winners were Alyssa Gormish, champion (389), Hanna Goodard, runner-up from Virginia, and Missy Vescovi, third. Pennsylvania Lady HOA winners were Alyssa, champion; Missy, runner-up; and Rachel Sauer, third.

Saturday evening was busy, beginning with 12- and 20-gauge shoot-offs and a hat shoot.

Dylana Eroh shot her first 25 straight, and her hat was properly perforated; congratulations, Dylana! Vance McLaughlin shot his first 50 and 75 straights in the 12-gauge event, but he left early and temporarily saved his hat.

Pennsylvania’s top shooters for 2019 were recognized. Fran Kosmacki with a 0.975 average was the State’s Top Gun. All-State first and second teams were recognized, and each member received a nice wooden plaque. The first team included Mike Rykaczewski Jr., Josh Crofutt, Denny Lehman, Dan Felton and Clay Gormish; second team members included Kenny Riddile, Gary Nace, Debra Meade, Meghan Darrough and David Darrough.

All Juniors and Sub-Juniors (11 shot in the 12-gauge) had 50% of their entry fees paid by PSSA. Four boxes of shells for each event, except the Prelim, were also provided by PSSA.

The PSSA President’s Cup award for 2019 was presented to Denny Lehman in recognition of his ongoing support of skeet in Pennsylvania. Denny, again this year, spearheaded a drive to solicit added money for the 2020 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 over $11,000 in added money. 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., in the 12-gauge E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5 received $50, $45, $40, $35 and $30, respectively).

Reno Hassinger was named Pennsylvania’s 2019 Rookie of the Year.

Nathaniel Neuland from MD, in a field of 21 shooters, won the BCDE Challenge shoot-off. The top prize was a Henry rifle donated by Ed and Theresa Call (thank you so much, Ed and Theresa!). Class champions 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 five teams. The winning team members were Sam Armstrong, Alessandro Vitale, Mike Wollard, Mark Saussure and Fran Kosmacki, and each received a beautiful belt buckle. This was an encore performance, as the same team took home the belt buckles last year.

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 for handling registration, scorekeeping and posting; Bobby Wilkin who was Chief Referee and shoot-off announcer; the Generations Skeet Club team who handled medal preparation and distribution; and Mark Saussure, PSSA President who was pretty much everywhere, including being emcee at Saturday night’s recognition/award 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, Rick Grimminger, Carl and Doris Confer, Bill Ozanich, Wade and Laura Schlusser, Dave, Tom and LeAnn Weaverling, Mark Wickersham, Bill and Mary Doutt, John Duhon, Mitch Heaster, Charlie Stambaugh, Doug Swoboda, Evan Simon, Bob Sechrist and Jim Flutka.

It is safe to say that Pennsylvania skeet shooting is a family affair. Nineteen mother/father/son/daughter pairings participated in this year’s State Shoot (23% of the 183 shooters). Eleven father/son, four father/daughter, two mother/father/son, one father/daughter/son, and one father/son/son were involved.

– Contributed by George Gleich

  

Knotty Pine Open 200

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Congratulations to winners of the Knotty Pine Open 200, held July 10-12 at the Knotty Pine Skeet Club in Ontario. Bill Zager won the shoot with 199×200. Dean Herzburg, runner-up, and Jim Malcolm, third, shot off 198s to complete the podium. Eleven-year-old Lawrence Weaver shot his personal best score of 81×100 in the second half of the shoot.

   

 

 

 

Kriner Insurance Group Shoot

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Meadville Sportsman’s Club in northwestern Pennsylvania held the Kriner Insurance Group 200 on July 18. The weather was hot and humid with nary a cloud in the sky; an occasional light breeze did help a bit.

Fourteen shooters shot 100 each 12- and 20-gauge targets. Austin Applegarth was HOA champ with a sizzling 198. Mike Rykacewski Jr. was HOA runner-up after winning a shoot-off of 194s with Josh Crofutt and Dale Snow.

The 12-gauge was shot first. Applegarth was champion, but not until he won a shoot-off of 99s with Dale Snow. Class winners included Ernie Avolio (AA), Snow (A), Carl Biddle (B), Brian Fox (C) and Mike Rykacewski Sr. (D).

A nice lunch of cold cuts, potato salad, macaroni salad, chocolate chip cookies, and soft drinks was provided.

The 28-gauge event was last. Applegarth continued his good day by winning the champion distinction with his 99. Crofutt, Biddle, Steve Best and George Gleich, respectively, finished AA1, A1, B1 and C1.

Samuel Marks registered shooters, posted scores and managed shoot-offs, as well as pulling and scoring; kudos to him! Other referees and helpers included Sam Marks, Larry Price, and Mark Johnson.

Many thanks to the Kriner Insurance Group for sponsoring the shoot. In addition to adding money, the Group provided various take-away items (key chains, travel mugs, pens) and abundant cold bottled water.

– Contributed by George Gleich

Paratrooper Open

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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

 

 

 

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