Clay Target Nation

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

86th Pennsylvania State Shoot

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PSSA held the 86th annual Pennsylvania State Open Skeet Championships at Shenecoy Sportsmen’s beautiful 16-field facility in McConnellstown, Pennsylvania, on August 26-28. The weather was great! Not too hot, not too humid, not much wind, no rain, not many clouds.

Two hundred nineteen participants shot at least one gun, including 50 out-of-state shooters (from AZ, CA, DE, FL, IL, IN, MD, NC, NY, OH, TX, VA, and WV); thank you so much for coming folks! There were 183 four-gun shooters. The shoot difficulty factor was 22.8.

Open HOA winners were Owen Knight (Champion, 397), Mike Rykacewski Jr. (runner-up, 397) and Nick Boerboon (third, 396). PA HOA winners were Rykacewski Jr. (champion), Boerboon (runner-up) and Chris Kline (third). Open HAA Champion and runner-up, respectively, were Kline (495) and Knight (493); Boerboon (492-PA) was third. PA HAA honors went to Kline (champion), Boerboon (runner-up) and Rykacewski Jr. (third).

The 28-gauge Prelim started the festivities on Friday morning with 59 shooters participating. The top score was 99, and there were three of them. After shooting off, Tyler Mroczka was Open Champion, Alyssa Gormish and Larry Blount, respectively, were Open runner-up and third. PA Prelim winners were Mrozcka (Champion), Alyssa Gormish (runner-up) and Ethan Cree (third). Mike Zavasky, Clay Gormish, Mark Eckert, Greg Valentine, and John Tucker, respectively, took PA class AA-D firsts.

There were 158 doubles shooters on Friday afternoon and two 100 straights. Chris Kline emerged as Open Champion by winning a shoot-off of the 100s with Alyssa Gormish, runner- up; Sam Armstrong was Open third. PA Champion, runner-up, and third, respectively, were Kline, Alyssa Gormish and Josh Crofutt. PA class firsts (AAA-D) went to Boerboon, Denny Lehman, Carl Biddle, Andy Trayer, Marcus Rosenstiel Jr., and Mike Rykacewski Sr. In the main event, there were ten 100 straights in both the 12 and 20, eight in the 28 and one in
the .410.

PA Champions, runners-up and thirds, respectively, were: Tyler Mroczka, Pat Leyo, and Adam Vollmer in the 12-gauge (215 shooters with PA shooters taking the top three Open spots); Jeff Holtz, Carl Bathurst and John Brickner in the 20 (205 shooters with Sam Armstrong Open Champion, Brian D’Souza Open runner-up, and Mike Stasio Open third; Tyler Mroczka, Mike Rykacewski Jr., and Tom Shields in the 28 (194 shooters with Kurt Suprynowicz Open Champion); and Nick Boerboon, Mike Rykacweski Jr., and Chris Kline in the .410 (187 shooters with PA shooters taking the top three Open spots).

Class first places (PA) were won by Mike Rykacewski Jr., Frank Smithmyer, Gary Nace, Allison Shaffer, Mark Strickland, Greg Mahoney and John Lavrich (12-gauge AAA-E); Nick Boerboon, Joe Vescovi, Pat Leyo, Ed Call, Joe Gans V and Kurt Fisher (20-gauge AAA-D); Joe Vescovi, Fran Kosmacki, Matt Sanders, Pat Leyo, Zak Sutton and Bill Plunkett (28-gauge AAA-D); and Adam Vollmer, Rich Vensel, Mark Saussure, Marcus Rosenstiel Jr., and Allison Shaffer (.410 bore AA-D).

Grant Glossner and Wade Smith, respectively, were Sub-Junior Open and PA HOA Champion and runner-up. Owen Knight, Zak Sutton and Marcus Rosenstiel Jr., respectively, were Junior Open HOA Champion, runner-up and third; Sutton, Rosenstiel Jr. and Colby Eckert, respectively, were PA HOA Champion, runner-up and third.

Open Lady HOA winners were Meredith Tunick Kling (Champion, 391), Sue Huszai (runner-up, 383) and Allison Shaffer (third, 379). PA Lady HOA winners were Allison Shaffer (Champion), Alyssa Gormish (runner-up) and Debra Meade third.

Saturday evening was busy, beginning with shoot-offs and several hat shoots. Evelyn Zutter had her first 25 straight, Gavin Glossner and Dan Amsler had their first 50 straights, and Allison Shaffer had her first 100 straight this weekend. All had their hats well ventilated. Chris Kline was inducted into the PSSA Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame. Chris has been one of Pennsylvania’s top skeet shooters for years, and he is one of the very best people in the
Pennsylvania skeet community. Congratulations, Chris!

PA’s top shooters for 2022 (2021 data) were recognized. Fran Kosmacki with a 0.9767 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 Fran Kosmacki, Mike Rykaczewski Jr., Josh Crofutt, Tom Hillard and Alyssa Gormish; Second Team members included Denny Lehman, Clay Gormish, Kenny Riddile, Gary Nace and Jack Harshbarger.

All Juniors and Sub-Juniors (25 shot in the 12 gauge) had 50% of their entry fees paid by PSSA.

Denny Lehman spearheaded a drive for the 2022 State Shoot that resulted in over $22,250 in added money. Many thanks to Denny, and especially to Elite Shotguns, the major sponsor of the PA State Shoot, who matched donations received from businesses and individuals up to $10,000. Special thanks also to all the businesses and individuals that made donations.

The PSSA President’s Cup award for 2021 was presented to Murry Gerber of Elite Shotguns in recognition of his ongoing and outstanding support of Pennsylvania skeet. Murray is leading from the front in growth of this sport, and we look forward to continued successes together.

Added money was capped so that gun champion, runner-up and third received $350, $250 and $150, 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 $75, $70, $65, $60, $55, respectively).

In a field of 43 shooters, Guy Barr won the BCDE Challenge shoot-off and received $220. Class champs, B-E respectively, were Tyler Mroczka, Colby Eckert, Ethan Cree and John Lavrich, and each received $75. All winners were from PA.

The Three-Man Team event involved 16 teams picked by the computer. The winning team included Randy Browning, Brian D’Souza and Allison Shaffer, whose 12-gauge scores were 97, 95 and 93, respectively. Each received $80.

The 5-person team belt buckle championship involved 10 teams. The event started and finished on Station 3 with the second team up breaking nine of 10 birds (5 doubles) and none of the other nine teams matching that total. The winning team members, from Tarentum District Sportsmen’s Club near Sarver, PA, were Josh Crofutt, Murry Gerber, Mike Rykacewski Jr., Mike Rykacewski Sr. and Bob Waite. Each received a beautiful belt buckle.

Five shooters participated in the HOA handicap option on Sunday afternoon. Nick Boerboon, Chris Kline and Rich Vensel were first-, second- and third-place winners.

Tyler Mrozcka had quite a weekend shooting his first 100-straight in the 12-gauge and then breaking his first 100-straight in the 28-gauge as an encore. His hat was demolished, of course. Tyler was Open Champion in the Prelim and 12 and PA Champion in the 28.

Members of the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Company provided the delicious catered dinner for all, at no extra cost to the shooters and their guests, on Saturday night. Many thanks to John Ramagli who graciously donated this dinner!

Kudos to Tami Daniel-Means and her hubby Al for handling registration, score keeping and posting; Bobby Wilkin, Chief Referee and shoot-off announcer and his outstanding group of referees; the Generations Skeet Club team who handled medal preparation and distribution; and Nick Boerboon, PSSA President, who was involved in most everything, in addition to shooting lights out.

Special thanks to the following folks whose hard work was greatly appreciated: Barry and Lori Sheffield and all the Shenecoy people who always work so hard; Rod Shyda (Lincoln Traps); Bob Woods (Elite Shotguns); and Wendy and Steve Dunmire and crew (Petersburg Volunteer Fire Company) for running the kitchen throughout the shoot and providing tasty food. Make sure to mark your calendars for the 2023 Pennsylvania State Skeet Shoot which will be held at Shenecoy on August 18-20. We are anticipating having $20,000 plus added money again, along with many other great things.

– Contributed by George Gleich

 

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

  

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

 

Gil Rodler Memorial

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Memorial skeet shoots are all about remembering and memorializing some of our greatest shooters. That’s the case with the Gil Rodler Memorial. He attended every Pennsylvania State Skeet Championship from 1954 until 2013. Further, he won more of those PA Championship titles than just about anyone. But the longevity of his year-after-year PA State Championship attendance does set him apart – 60 straight years.

But there’s more. He won national titles like the U.S. Open Doubles Championship. While Gil shot a Krieghoff Model 32 for most of his 4-gun career, he shot Doubles with a Perazzi MT6 with a Modified choke in the second barrel. He was noted for shooting the second doubles target way, way out there and smashing it. Gil was also well known as not only a serious competitor, but one with grim determination that showed on his face, his body, his every muscle. These days we’re told to relax while shooting. Rodler never shot relaxed.

September 3, 2018, was the fourth annual Gil Rodler Memorial. It takes place at the Tarentum District Sportsman’s Club near Sarver, PA. Our tradition for this shoot is always Labor Day – as well as 50 targets in the .410, 28, 20 and 12 gauge – in that order – so a one-day shoot. With the club’s three fields we are limited to 30 4-gun shooters (four flights), and this year’s shoot was filled within 24 hours of announcement – testimony to local shooters who have such respect for Gil Rodler, and to the Tarentum District Sportsmen’s Club as well, with its totally renovated clubhouse and all new Lincoln skeet, trap, 5-stand and sporting clays traps.

Well-known Pennsylvania shooter Roy Holtz won the High Overall Championship with a 195. Josh Crofutt was only one target behind for runner-up. Crofutt also won the .410. Tom Shields was 28-gauge champ, Josh Crofutt the 20-gauge, and Tim Holtz won the 12-gauge.

The club always puts out a great lunch spread, and this year’s Rodler Memorial was no exception. Kudos to kitchen help Regina Nemergut, Marie Palmer (who also shot the full program) and all the others who helped. Running the shoot was Dave Cominsky, using the NSSA skeet shoot software.

This club intends to keep the Rodler memory alive with a Labor Day shoot for years to come. The 50-target, 4-gun format has been very popular with our local shooters. We shoot the 12-gauge last to eliminate the need for cleaning barrels by tube-set shooters. We shoot 50 .410s first. Shooters bring their 28-gauge guns or tubes and shells. Consequently, immediately following the 50 .410 targets, we’re able to start the 28-gauge with no delay. Same with the 20- and 12-gauge events: shoot the 20 first and go right into the 12-gauge with no time lost. We find this an efficient way for each competitor to get in 200 targets in the day. We try to finish shoot-offs early enough that shooters can get back to their families for the rest of the Labor Day holiday.

– Contributed by Nick Sisley

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Pennsylvania State Skeet Championship

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Pennsylvania Skeet Shooting Association held its 82nd annual Pennsylvania State Open Skeet Championship at the Shenecoy Sportsmen facility in McConnellstown, PA on August 24-26. The weather, facilities, targets and referees were all great. 190 participants shot at least one gun, including 37 out-of-state shooters from Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Alessandro Vitale, Zone 2 committeeman from MD, was open HOA (398) and HAA (497) champion. Sam Armstrong was open HOA (396) and HAA (495) runner-up. Pennsylvanians Ted Capers and Fran Kosmacki were open HOA third (395) and open HAA third (492), respectively. PA HOA champion, runner-up and third, respectively, were Capers, Kosmacki and Richard (Frenchy) Larosa; Kosmacki, Larosa and R. Dennis Lehman were PA HAA champion, runner-up and third.

The 28-gauge Prelim started the festivities on Friday morning with 48 shooters participating. Michael Zavasky posted the lone 100 and emerged as champion. Clay Gormish and Jared Shaffer shot 99s and were, respectively, runner-up and third.

117 participants shot Doubles on Friday afternoon. Armstrong and Vitale shot 99s and were open champion and runner-up, respectively, while Chris Kline’s 99 was good for open third. Kline (99), Gary Nace (98) and Lehman (98), respectively, were PA champion, runner-up and third. PA class firsts went to Kosmacki, Kenny Riddile, Gormish, Tom Hillard, David Darrough and Rege Guckert (AAA-D).

In the main event, there were 13 perfect 100s in the 12-gauge, seven in the 20, 10 in the 28 and one in the .410. PA champion, runner-up and third, respectively, were Lehman, Kline, and Ernie Avolio in the 12 (185 shooters with Michael Stasio from DE winning open champion); Capers, Lehman and Gormish in the 20 (183 shooters); Kosmacki, Zavasky and Gormish in the 28 (176 shooters with Armstrong open third); and, Peter Anderson, Capers and Paul Augustin in the .410 (171 shooters, with Vitale’s 99 taking open runner-up).

Class (PA) winners were Matthew Sanders, Frank Smithmyer, Augustin, Meghan Darrough, Rich Rothrock, Richard Teti and Jack Makdad (12-gauge AAA-E); Kosmacki, Dan Felton, Adam Vollmer, Mark Saussure, Jackson Paul and Robert Saam (20-gauge AAA-D); Tom Johnson, Pat Leyo, Ed Call, Colin Crawford, Jeff Wright and Tracey Snyder (28-gauge AAA-D), and Joe Vescovi, Matthew Sanders, William Teti, Howard Page, Paul and Bob Waite (.410 bore AAA-D).

Among Junior shooters, LaRosa, Meghan Darrough and Paul, respectively, were PA HOA champion, runner-up and third, and open champion, runner-up and third. PA Ladies HOA winners were Debra Meade, champion; Meghan Darrough, runner-up; and Linda Sanders, third. Open Lady winners were Meade, champion, Sue Huszai at runner-up and Meghan Darrough, third.

A mega-hat shoot took place on Saturday evening, starting with a hat shoot in memory of Frank Walsh. After the memorial hat shoot, seven other hats were blasted by a long line of shooters. This must have been one of the biggest hat shoots (at least by the number of shooters out there) of all time.

Colin Crawford bested 47 other shooters to win the BCDE Challenge shoot-off. The top prize was a Henry rifle donated by Ed and Theresa Call.

The 5-man team handicap championship shoot-off – free to all shooters, based on 12-gauge averages – involved 13 teams. For the second consecutive year, the winners were the North Carolina Boys: Scott Graham, Russell Bingham, Steve Timmons, Rob Pope and Chip Simmons. Each received a beautiful belt buckle.

With 33 entries in the HOA Handicap shoot-off, the winners were Capers, Kosmacki and Leyo, in order.

PA State Teams for 2017 were recognized. The PA first team included Kosmacki, Lehman, Kline, Felton and Gormish, and each received a nice wooden plaque.

A drawing between 13 first-time 4-gun shooters at the State Shoot resulted in Carl Biddle being reimbursed his 4-gun entry fees. Josh Crofutt was the winner of free entry fees to the 2018 World Skeet Championships.

The PSSA President’s Cup award for 2017 was presented to Bob and Becky Myers in recognition of their long-time support of skeet clubs and their major milestone of 1 million combined registered skeet targets at the World Shoot this year.

Many shooters had firsts at this year’s State Shoot. Shooting their first 100s were Rich Rothrock, Jack Makdad, Armand Watts and Randal Horsley in the 12; Colin Crawford in the 28; and Peter Anderson in the .410. First 75s included Tori Holtz, Joe McGarvey and Guy Barr in the 12. First 50s included Allison Shaffer and Tracey Snyder in the 28.

George Gleich shot his 225,000th registered bird during the 20-gauge event.

All Juniors and Sub-Juniors participating in this year’s State Shoot had 100% of their entry fees paid by PSSA; shells used (4 boxes for each event except the Prelim) were also provided by PSSA.

Special thanks to the many club volunteers and sponsors whose hard work and support made our event a success, and to those who contributed a total of $5,400 in added money.

– Contributed by George Gleich

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