Clay Target Nation

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

5th Annual Harry Michelson Memorial Skeet Tournament

By

One of the premier events at St. Joe Valley Conservation Club is the annual Harry Michelson Memorial Skeet Tournament. Harry was a decorated WWII pilot, lifelong NSSA member and chief referee for many years. Harry came to St. Joe Valley for many years, serving as Chief Referee for the many events throughout the summer. Harry passed away in 2018, and his daughter Sandy elected to continue her father’s legacy by sponsoring the tournaments in his honor. This year’s tournament was shot July 14-16. with approximately 60 participants vying for honors and prize money.

Left to right: Bruce Christian, Sandy Michelson, Dave Schiebel

Friday’s weather was excellent to start the tournament. In the doubles event, there were no 100’s shot, but Michael Schmidt and Owen Knight each scored 99. In the shoot-off, Michael Schmidt prevailed, Owen Knight took runner-up and Bruce Christian third.

Saturday morning the 12-gauge event started out a bit wet, with light rain for a good portion of the morning. By noon the skies began to clear, and the sun began to warm things up. There were nine 100 scores posted for the morning rotations. During the shoot-offs, it came down to three shooters going toe to toe, but in the end Bruce Christian, champion, beat out squadmate Dave Schiebel, runner-up, and Jack Krispin (AA1). Other class winners were Mark Presnell (A), Dan Adam (B), Tom Davis (C), Tom Houlihan (D) and Folke Boman (D).

Saturday afternoon skies were sunny with mild wind for the 20-gauge event. By the end of the day, there were 12 perfect 100 scores posted. With that many 100’s posted, shoot-offs took some time, and participants put on a great demonstration of their skills. In the end, Dan Adams prevailed, Donald Kitchen was runner-up and Joshua Crofutt was AA1. Class winners were Jeff Pope (A), Kyle Krispin (B) and Mike VanZile (C).

Sunday morning opened with the 28-gauge event, and shooters enjoyed cloudy skies and light winds. During the morning session, five shooters posted scores of 99. The top shooter at the conclusion of the shoot-offs was Jack Krispin, champion, followed by Fred Tschantz, runner-up, and Mike Rykaczewski Jr. (AA1). Other class winners were Mike Rykaczewski Sr., (A), Adam Smith (B), Kenneth Meyers (C) and Marc Brown (D).

The .410 winds began early in the afternoon and persisted throughout the remainder of the day. Despite the gusty winds, five shooters posted scores of 99. The winds continued to be an issue for the .410 shoot-offs, but Mike Schmidt prevailed to take top honors. Mike Rykaczewski Jr. was runner-up and Brent Edwards AA1. Other class winners were Tom Davis (A), Gerald Novak (B), Adam Smith (C) and Folke Boman (D).

HOA for the 5th Annual Harry Michelson shoot was Mike Rykaczewski Jr. with a 397. Brent Edwards, Mike Schmidt and Jack Krispin shot-off their 395’s to finish in that order. Class winners were Tom Davis (A), Mike Rykaczewski Sr. (B), Mike VanZile (C) and Folke Boman (D).

A big thank you to John Waters and Debbi Perry for sponsoring the “Fun Handicap Bonus Pool” with added money. Several of the shooters benefited from their generosity.

This tournament is one of the favorites here at St. Joe Valley Conservation Club. We have the privilege of honoring a true WWII hero and skeet legend, Harry Michelson. A big thank you to Harry’s daughter, Sandy, for continuing her father’s legacy.

Next year’s tournament will see a change in the date. Because this is a memorial tournament, St. Joe Valley will be hosting this tournament over Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, 2024. The Kolar Mid America tournament will be held at St. Joe on July 19-21, 2024. So, mark your calendars for those new dates and join us at beautiful St. Joe Valley Conservation Club.

St. Joe Valley Conservation Club is 100% operated by volunteers. A big thank you to all people that work behind the scenes to make this tournament a big success, including the groundskeepers, target loaders, food servers, machine mechanics and those working behind the counter. Thank you!

– Contributed by Ted Nussbaum

4th Annual Harry Michelson Memorial at St. Joe Valley

By

The 4th Annual Harry Michelson Memorial shoot was held July 15-17 at St. Joe Valley Conservation Club in St. Joe, Indiana. Harry was a beloved referee from Ohio that absolutely loved doing what he did and did it into his 90s before passing away. Because of his love of the sport, his family has generously donated added money to this event in his honor every year. This added money is not only awarded to the event winners and runner-up but spread out among the class winners and runner-up as well. In addition, this year they sponsored the free lunches Saturday and Sunday.

Thirty skeet shooters took to the fields Friday for doubles, and there was some weather to be dealt with. Bryan Rogers won the event with a solid 98, with Bruce Christian, runner-up, on his heels with a 97. Jack Krispin was third, scoring a 96; please pay attention to this name – it will be mentioned often. Class winners were Brent Edwards (AA), Patrick Fowler (A), James Neirzwick (B), Stan Gorgacz (C) and Folke Boman (D).

Saturday appeared to be another rainy day, but the weather held off and offered fantastic shooting conditions, with the scores reflecting it. Forty-five shooters entered the 12-gauge event, resulting in four 100s and five 99s. When the shoot-offs were complete, Jack Krispin was champ with Robert Lopez (all the way from Bulverde, Texas) taking runner-up. Jim Sikes was third, and class winners were previous World Champion Fred Tzschantz (AA), Jeff Pope (A), Jeff Roussey (B), Ron Galloway (C) and William Stroll (D).

Lunch was served by club volunteers, and then off to the fields for the 20-gauge. Forty-three entries, three 100s and five 99s later, shoot-offs began. Local celebrity Owen Knight emerged gun champ with Brent Edwards (another World Champion) as runner-up and Bryan Rogers sliding into third. Class, winners were Jack Krispin (AA), former 28-gauge World Champion Bruce Christian (A), Dan Adam (B), Loraine Malloy (C) and Folke Boman (D).

Sunday saw 42 shooters compete for 28-gauge champion, and the weather was great – no wind and grey skies. There were four 100s and five 99s, with Jack Krispin coming out on top, with Bryan Rogers runner-up and Owen Knight third. Class winners were Brent Edwards (AA), Jeff Roussey (A), Tom Pavlack (B), Stan Gorgacz (C) and William Stoll (D).

Lunch was served again to the delight of the shooters, and the last event of the weekend was ready to go. Thirty-eight shooters participated in the .410, resulting in a lone 100 by Jack Krispin. Fred Tschantz was runner-up and James Sykes third in a shoot-off of 99s. Class winners were Andrew Bielman (AA), David Duncan (A), Larry Israel (B), Kyle LaFountain (C) and Adam Smith (D).

The HOA winner was Jack Krispin with a splendid 399 – he previously shot a 400×400 at the Mid America at St. Joe earlier this year. There was a 3-way shoot-off of 395s, with Fred Tschantz securing runner-up, Bryan Rogers third and Brent Edwards taking AA1. Other HOA class winners were Kyle Krispin (A), William Sorensen (B), Adam Smith (C) and William Stroll (D).

Many thanks to all of the volunteers (and there are many) at St. Joe Valley, with special thanks to Debbi Perry for her assistance behind the computer. And a very special shout-out to Bruce Christian. Without these special folks, great events like this would not happen. Thank you again to the Michelson family for their continued support and to our shooters who attended. We hope to see you next year.

– Contributed by Tom Pavlack

 

L-R: Fred Tschantz (runner-up), Jack Krispin (champion), Bryan Rogers (3rd)

Harry Michelson Memorial Shoot

By

The 2nd Annual Harry Michelson Memorial Shoot was held July 17-19 at St. Joe Valley Conservation Club just north of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The name of the shoot was changed from the Pickle Open (which happened to fall on the same weekend as the celebrated pickle festival in St. Joe, the home to Sechler’s Pickles) in 2015 to the Harry Michelson Open in honor of long-time referee and club member Harry Michelson. Following his death in 2018, it was renamed the Harry Michelson Memorial Shoot. Harry’s daughter, Sandy, has committed to honor his request to continue to provide added money to the shoot each year.

The weather for the weekend was forecast to be hot and humid, with possible late-afternoon thunderstorms, and it was very hot and humid. Friday saw two perfect scores in the doubles event, one by club president and workhorse Bruce Christian and the other by Dess Ivanov. Taking no pity on Bruce, who is always running around adjusting targets for the shooters and anything else that needs to be done, Dess made quick work of the shoot-off to claim victory. A pair of 99s shot-off for third place, with Brent Edwards the winner in that contest.

Saturday was even hotter and more humid, and the shooters were hot, too, posting six 100s in the 12-gauge and seven in the 20-gauge events. Dess was once again the champion in the 12-gauge, followed by Fred Tschantz at runner-up and Owen Knight, third. In the 20-gauge, Paul Giambrone took top honors, with Aaron Benton in the runner-up spot and Jeff Roussey third.

Sunday cooled down a bit, but only because the wind picked up. It never fails, no matter when the .410 is held, the wind makes an appearance. And, not only the wind, but a huge thunderstorm rolled through between the .410 flights, bringing a halt to all shooting. We were in our motorhome and thought that it was going to get blown over! In the 28-gauge event, Dess racked up his third win with the lone 100. Five 99s took to the field to decide the remaining places on the podium, with Brent Edwards runner-up over Cole Gintert, third. The best score posted in the baby bore was 98 by three shooters – Brent Edwards (champion), Aaron Benton (runner-up) and Dylan Dick (third). Aaron’s 98 locked up the HOA Championship with a 397, followed by squadmate Ed Smith with a 394. A pair of 393s shot off for third, with Dylan besting Dess.

The shoot was over capacity at 82 shooters (80 is full) and has a leisurely format with two flights in the morning, a break for lunch, followed by the afternoon flights. Untold thanks go to Harry’s daughter, as well as all of the referees and volunteers. St. Joe is an entirely volunteer club and is one of the best-run facilities in the country. So, if you haven’t been to a shoot at St. Joe Valley, I strongly recommend you find your way there next year. You can choose the Mid-America over Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. Open iShoot at the end of June or the Michelson in July. We hope you can participate in one, two or all three events – you won’t be disappointed!

– Contributed by Trish Magyar

Harry Michelson Memorial Shoot Scores

Harry Michelson Memorial Shoot Event Winners

Skeet

Sporting Clays

National Shooting
Complex

Museum &
Hall of Fame

About