Clay Target Nation

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

Nebraska State Skeet Championships

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The 91st annual Nebraska State Skeet Championships were held August 18-20 at the Lincoln Trap and Skeet Club (LT&SC) in Lincoln. The action started on Friday with the Oak Creek Engineering Champ of Champs event, with 25 targets in each gauge/bore, starting with the .410. Kurt Mann bested all others with an impressive 99.

Jacob Uphoff – 28 GA CH, HOA CH, HAA CH

Friday afternoon brought pleasant weather – the last of such weather for quite a while – and the Cornhusker Winnelson Doubles event. Squadmates Chris Lutz and Kurt Mann shot off 97’s and were champion and runner-up, respectively. Third place went to Blaine Frizzell, one of the notable Junior shooters from the weekend, and class winners included Jacob Uphoff (A), Bill Buettgenbach (B), John Rossi (C) and Mike Vainosky (D).

Shooters and guests were treated to pizza and appetizers after the Doubles shoot-offs. Thanks to Jerry Classen and all who contributed.

Saturday morning brought clear skies, calm winds, and a preview of the impending heat for the Morton Buildings 20-gauge event. When the smoke cleared, two 100-straights were shot, both by Junior shooters. Mason Pillard outlasted Blaine Frizzell in the shoot-off to take his first state title, along with his first 100-straight in the 20 gauge! Third place was Kurt Mann. Class winners were Derek Pollock (AA), Chris Lutz (A), Don Serna (B), Michael Day (C) and Mike Vainosky (D).

Oddly enough, the Nebraska winds stayed fairly light for the afternoon and the Class One Machine .410 state championship event. Chris Lutz had the lone 98 to take the championship buckle. Runner-up was Derek Pollock and third place was Jacob Uphoff. Class winners were Tristin Duff (AA), Rob Predmore (A), Tim Hartzog (B), Charles Burgess (C) and Mason Pillard (D).

On Saturday evening, shooters and guests enjoyed a wonderful steak dinner from Del Gould Meats with sides and more desserts than you could count. Thanks to everyone who grilled, provided food and drinks, etc.!

Sunday brought a continuation of high temps and humidity for the Conreco 28-gauge event. Two of Nebraska’s great young shooters, Jacob Uphoff and Michael Day, shot 100-straight for champion and third place respectively, with Rob Predmore taking runner-up after shooting his first 100-straight in the 28-gauge at a state championship shoot. Blaine Frizzell (AA), Chris Lutz (A), Adam Classen (B), Charles Burgess (C) and Don Hansen (D) took class honors.

Sunday afternoon brought out almost 75 shooters vying for the Anderson Auto Group 12-gauge title. Three perfect scores were posted, with Lane Sorensen taking his first ever state title, Jacob Uphoff claiming runner-up and Kurt Mann taking third place. Class winners included Derek Pollock (AA), Rob Predmore (A), Charles Burgess (B), John Rossi (C), Rick Standley (D) and Kaela Hinze (E). The highly coveted Zych Drywall 5-Man Team Trophy went to Bill Buettgenbach, Jake Uphoff, John Rossi, Michael Day and Mason Pillard.

The Kolar HOA title went to Jacob Uphoff with a very impressive 394. Rob Predmore (393) was runner-up, and third place was Chris Lutz (391). Class winners were Derek Pollock (AA-386), Kurt Mann (A-389), Blaine Frizzell (B-389), Roger Plooster (C-385), Rick Standley (D-349) and Kaela Hinze (E-335). Lady HOA champ was Claire Kee, and Junior HOA champ was Jacob Uphoff. Chris Cobb (CO) was high gun for out-of-staters, shooting an HOA score of 386.

Highlights from the weekend included a great showing from the young shooters from around the state, with Jacob Uphoff taking three state titles and shooting 200-straight on Sunday. There was a great turnout of shooters from outside of Nebraska, including representation from South Dakota, Colorado, Missouri, Kansas and even New Mexico. Their presence was appreciated, and we hope the trend continues in the future! A big thanks goes out to the LT&SC staff and all the volunteers that helped keep the shoot running smoothly. The 2024 Nebraska State Championships will be headed west to Grand Island next year. We hope to see you there!

— Contributed by Chris Lutz

Mason Pillard – 20 GA CH
Lane Sorensen – 12 GA CH

Nebraska State Skeet Championships

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The 90th Nebraska State Skeet Championships were held at Koch Range in Omaha, Nebraska, in mid-August. The weather was perfect for shooting, which is unusual for August in Nebraska.

The temperatures were in the mid to upper 80s; fortunately for some, the scores were a little higher than the temperature. Although there were no 100 straights over the weekend, there were several 99s.

The doubles event was shot on Friday, with three 96s for the high. After the shoot-off, Kurt Mann came away with the win. Josh Peters took second and Rob Predmore earned third. Class winners were Chris Lutz (A, 94), Zach Hinze (B, 93), Ray Hansen (C, 89) and Kim Zenon (D, 84).

Saturday morning started off with the 20-gauge. Two young shooters tied with 99s. After the shoot-off, Zach Hinze took gun champ and Jacob Uphoff runner-up. Third place went to Rob Predmore with his lone 97. Winning the classes were Mark Portz (A, 96), Rick Hoffman (B, 95), Ron Fucinaro (C, 94) and Steve Schmiedeeskamp (D).

The .410 was shot Saturday afternoon, Jacob Uphoff winning the gun championship with a 96. Runner-up went to Rob Predmore (93) and third place to Zach Hinze (92). Class winners were Dave Meisinger (A, 92), Deric Meisinger (B, 92), Michael Day (C, 90) and Ray Hansen (D). Saturday ended with dinner catered from Casio’s, thanks to our largest sponsor, Mr. Ron Zych, owner of Zych Drywall located in Omaha.

Sunday was another beautiful day for Nebraska and started with the 28-gauge. Deric Meisinger shot the only 99 in that gauge to earn him gun champ. Four 97s came next and set up a brutal shoot-off, with Dave Meisinger coming away with runner-up and Zach Hinze third. Classes were won by Chris Lutz (A, 97), Ray Hansen (B, 96), Bill Buettgenbach (C, 93) and Thomas Peltz (D).

The last event of the tournament was the 12-gauge, and it was not lacking in excitement! There were two 99s and four 98s, with a lot of shoot-offs on the side. The two 99s shot off for gun champ and runner-up. Jacob Uphoff came away with the win, and Chris Lutz nailed runner-up. Zach Hinze took home third after the shoot-offs of 98s. Winning the classes were Kurt Mann (AA), Dave Meisinger (A), Mark Portz (B), Michael Day (C, 96), Bill Buettgenbach (D, 95) and Ashtian Nielsen (E, 83).

At the end of the day, Jacob Uphoff walked away with his first State Championship. Jacob shot a 390 and received the HOA buckle for the win. Congratulations to all the buckle and medal winners.

– Contributed by David Meisinger

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

Nebraska State Skeet Championships

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The 86th annual Nebraska State Skeet Championships were held August 24-26 at the Lincoln Trap and Skeet Club in Lincoln. The action started Friday with the Oak Creek Engineering Champ of Champs event. This event consists of 25 targets in each gauge/bore, working your way up from the .410. Dave Meisinger shot the lone 99 to take the first state title up for grabs for the weekend. Class winners were Rob Predmore AA1, Tim Hartzog A1, Bill Buettgenbach B1, Deric Meisinger C1 and Kyle Warnke D1.

Friday afternoon brought the Check Point Doubles event. Corey Zenon bested the field with a 96 to take his first-ever Nebraska skeet title. Three shooters carded a 95 in the event, with Rich McCubbin, runner-up, edging out Josh Peters, third, and Jerry Classen C1. Other class winners included Predmore AA1, Buettgenbach A1, Deric Meisinger B1 and Jared Crouse D1.

Saturday morning brought the Morton Buildings 20-gauge event. When the smoked cleared, Rob Predmore added another state title to his impressive resume, shooting the lone 100 straight. One of Nebraska’s many great young talents, Jacob Uphoff, took runner-up, while the pride of Nebraska trapshooting, Ricky Marshall, took third. Class winners were Mike Englund AA1, Jerry Classen A1, Dale Fangmeyer B1, Cliff Ehlers C1 and Zach Hinze D1.

The Class One Machine .410 event was next up on Saturday afternoon. Jerry Classen outlasted Rob Predmore, runner-up, in the shoot-off of impressive 99s to take the belt buckle. This was Classen’s second .410 state title, winning the event back in 2008 with a 100 straight. Ricky Marshall took third with his best .410 score to date, a 97. Class winners included Josh Peters AA1, Rick Hoffman A1, John Rossi B1, Wayne Bennett C1 and Kyle Warnke D1.

Sunday was a day of firsts, starting with the Conreco, Inc. 28-gauge event. Deric Meisinger shot his first-ever 100 straight, and the only 100 straight in the field, to take his first Nebraska state title. A very proud dad, Dave Meisinger, had loaned Deric his Browning Citori to use at the shoot and promised Deric the gun if he ran 100 straight sometime during the weekend. Looks like Dave has an extra spot in his safe now! Runner-up went to Dale Fangmeyer, and third went to another one of our impressive young shooters, Jestynne Crankshaw. Rob Predmore AA1, Jerry Classen A1, John Rossi B1, Harry Walker C1 and Doug Carper D1 took class honors.

Seventy-seven shooters took to the fields Sunday afternoon for the Anderson Auto Group 12-gauge event. Only one of those seventy-seven shooters didn’t miss, and that was junior shooter Mason Weller with his first 100 straight. Dave Meisinger took runner-up, with third going to John Rossi. Class winners went to Ricky Marshall AA1, Corey Zenon A1, Don Serna B1, Jestynne Crankshaw D1 and Dave Niehus E1. The coveted John Day 5-Man Team trophy went to Rick Hoffman, Roger Plooster, Troy Geisert, Wayne Bennett and Jared Crouse.

Rob Predmore came away with both the Kolar HOA (394) as well as the Paul Davis Restoration HAA titles (488). Other notable HOA results included Ricky Marshall, runner-up; Jerry Classen, third; Katie Petersen, Lady champ and Collegiate champ; and class winners Rich McCubbin AA1, Dave Meisinger A1, John Rossi B1, Deric Meisinger C1, Wayne Bennett D1 and Dorothy Johnson E1.

A big thanks goes out to Lincoln Trap and Skeet, as well as all of the staff and volunteers, for putting on such a great shoot. Dale Fangmeyer had the skeet machines throwing great targets all weekend long. Dave and Lori Shipferling continued the tradition of our famous Friday night fish fry, and Skeet and Jill Hier treated the crowd to a wonderful steak dinner on Saturday night. Great targets, food and friends – what more could you want? The 2019 Nebraska State Championships will be in North Platte next year. Hope to see you there!

– Contributed by Chris Lutz

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