Clay Target Nation

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

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

Gil Rodler Memorial

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Tarentum District Sportsmen’s Club (TDSC) near Sarver, Pennsylvania held their fifth Gil Rodler Memorial 4-gun shoot on Labor Day, September 2. Gil Rodler Sr. passed away in June of 2014 at the age of 88. Gil was one of the best skeet shooters in Pennsylvania for many years and had many friends and acquaintances in the skeet community. Gil Rodler Jr. attended the shoot and shot very well, ending up as 28-Gauge Champion, A1 in the 20 and A1 in the 12. Gil Sr. would have been proud but probably would have asked his son, “What happened in the .410?”

The weather was great, partly cloudy to partly sunny, near 75 degrees with light winds. A total of 31 shooters participated in this four-gun, 50-bird-per-gun affair. HOA winners were Josh Crofutt (Champion, 195), Chris Kline (runner-up, 194) and Mike Wollard (third, 191).

The .410 was first on the agenda, and 26 competitors shot the little gun. Kline took the championship outright with his 49; Tim Holtz was runner-up with a 48. Class firsts went to Mike Rykaczewski Jr. (AA), Crofutt (A), Debra Meade (B), Harry Simonovich (C) and Ross Carney (D).

The 28-gauge was next up with 27 shooters, and there were three 50s from Gil Rodler Jr., Wollard and Meade; Rodler emerged as Champion and Wollard as runner-up. Rykaczewski Jr., Meade, Arvid Kobosky, Bryson Fox and Lance Petro, respectively, were AA1, A1, B1, C1 and D1.

Twenty-seven shooters took part in the 20-gauge event. Wollard had the only 50 straight and was champion. Crofutt, runner-up, won a shoot-off of 49s with Kline (AA1). Rodler Jr. (A1), Ernie Anderson (B1), Paul Hunt (C1) and Simonovich (D1) rounded out the list of class winners.

Twenty-nine shooters shot the 12-gauge. There were three 50 straights: Crofutt (champion), Kline (runner-up) and Kevin Spessard (B1). Other class firsts went to Meade (AA), Rodler Jr. (A), Tom Shields (C), Bob Waite (D) and Petro (E).

Kudos to Jerry McCullough and Mike Rykaczewski Sr. for shoot management and to John Smith, Gary Trilli, Chris Smith, Paul Augustin, Tom Gulotta, Josh Crofutt and Mike Rykaczewski Jr. for pulling and scoring. Many thanks to Regina Nemergut and Marie Palmer for preparing and serving the food.

 

– Contributed by George Gleich

World Record Established for 500-Target 28 Gauge

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Two shoots were scheduled for the Labor Day weekend at Piedmont Sportsman Club (Orange, VA) – the Bill Twyman Open, a 500-target marathon of 28-gauge targets, and the Labor Day Open, with all guns and Doubles. The two shoots were being run in parallel. Three brave souls were willing to attempt to establish the first new World Record in the 500-target 28-gauge event. (See Clay Target Nation, February 2017, bit.ly/CTN0217-10).

Having shot the entire Labor Day Open on one day, Fred Wood and Jason Armstrong were joined by Jeff Bond on Saturday morning to begin the 28-gauge marathon of 300 targets on Saturday and the final 200 on Sunday. With a forecast for the weekend indicating nothing but hot and humid, it was going to be a challenge.

So at 0900 on Saturday morning, the marathon began, with Jeff Bond leading, followed by Jason Armstrong and Fred Wood as tailgunner. The three easily finished each flight in less than an hour, and after the first 100 targets, Jeff Bond led by three targets. After some water and cooling off, the three approached the field again for next set of 100 targets, but by now the sun had burned off the morning dew and the temperature was rising, the humidity was high and the sweat never evaporated. The next 200 targets proved difficult for all, but Fred Wood stayed focused and was able to post one round of 99. By the end of the day and the first 300 targets, Fred Wood was in the lead by two targets.

Piedmont hosted a fine dinner Saturday evening and even better camaraderie, as everyone told stories of prior skeet events, remembered those shooters who are no longer with us and shared their plans for future activities.

All three again met up for the last 200 targets on Sunday with a forecast of even more of the same hot and humid conditions. The fourth 100 targets started with all three men posting a perfect first round of 25; as it turned out, that was the only time that all three did so. When the sun came out in full force and the dew steamed off the grass, the glasses would fog up – usually just before a target was called for. By the end of the 400th target, Fred and Jeff were again tied, after Jeff posted a 99 to match Fred’s 99 from the day before.

The three took to the field to shoot their last set of 100 28-gauge targets. But with the heat and humidity and mental pressure all rising, Jeff lost the first bird out. As the rounds progressed, Fred would lead and then Jeff would lead and then they would be tied again. As the squad battled around the field, the crowd of spectators began to grow and focused their attention on Fred and Jeff, but referee Ronnie Dodson maintained his cool composure the entire time. Spectators gathered and the crowd grew, wondering which of the three men would establish a World Record. Finally, scores were tallied and double-checked, it turned out that Fred Wood and Jeff Bond together set the World Record and would be recognized as co-holders, having tied with a score of 484X500.

But only one could be declared champion of the Bill Twyman Open, and after a very long and grueling set of doubles, Jeff Bond was declared champ, Fred Wood was runner-up and Jason Armstrong third (with a 467 x 500).

– Contributed by Ronald Dodson

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