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