MISSOURI STATE SHOOT

2021MISSOURI STATE SHOOT

If the 2021 Missouri State Shoot could be described with a single word, it would have to be CHANGES. A change in management, improvements to the grounds and an upcoming sporting clays opportunity to be offered at Linn Creek.

The annual Missouri State Trapshoot, held May 17-23, saw nearly 2000 registered targets offered to each of the competitors who were shooting for a share of over $6000 in added money and trophies for both in and out-ofstaters. Over 4300 entries were registered during the 17 events.

Shooters were eager to get back to trapshooting after so many cancellations last year. Attendance increased in nearly every event over participation in 2019. While the state shoot was combined with the Southwestern Zone in 2020, the number of registered entrants was still increased this year.

By the week’s end, Junior Gold shooters set the pace for High Over All honors. St. Louis resident Hunter Spruill took away the Champion’s trophy with 1164/1200. Darrell Farr ranked runner-up with 1155. Out-ofState Champion, Ian Lawrence, Junior Gold from Illinois, posted 1172/1200 to tie with runner-up Keith Ditto and Sub Veteran Scott Gens, of Minnesota. Wenig Custom Gunstocks donated $2000 in Lewis money for the HOA payout.

Always a tough competitor, Darrell Farr was MO High All Around champion with 392/400. Zach Nannini was runner-up with 388. High All Around awards went to seven Missouri young guns, off of the list of 16 trophies. Out-of-stater Ian Lawrence topped all scoring with 397/400. C.L. Fulton was runner-up with 394 and Keith Ditto claimed AAA with 393.

PRELIMINARY DAYS

Dark skies loomed over the opening day of the tournament, keeping entries low. The President Todd Albers Day began with Richard Wilson besting David Hull, both with 99 in the Singles event and settled with carryover scores of 125/124. It took two rounds of carryover for Luke Yagos to outlast Austin Stoner for Junior honors, both with 99 in the program. Jimmie McKinnnon claimed Senior Veteran with his 99.

The President’s Handicap drew the largest number of entries for the day. Daniel Whalen (IL) was top gun with 95. Yardage groups and categories were open trophies.

The President’s Doubles put a spotlight on both ends of the age yardstick. AA champion was Sub

BY KARLA HARRISON

Junior Landon Chandler (AR) with 96. Senior Veteran Ed Powell (MO) broke 93 to claim Class A. Sub Junior Jayden Dalton (AR) bested the field and his category with 98. Junior Luke Yagos (AR) took category with 94 while William Van Nieuwenhuyzen (MN) claimed Senior Vet, also with 94.

Tuesday’s events each honored Hall of Fame inductees Bobby Chambers and Dennis Alkire. In the singles, AAA shooters Richard Wilson and David Hull carried over their perfect scores, with Wilson eventually coming out victorious. Not to be outdone, Elijah Wilson matched his dad’s 100 straight to win the Junior category.

The HOF Handicap ended with a very petite overall champion. Sub Junior Anna Rawe won with 99. Andrew Stone was close behind with his 98 for Junior honors.

Hunter Spruill made his presence known in the HOF Doubles. His 98 tied Zach Nannini, with Spruill taking AAA in the carryover. William Van Nieuwenhuyzen’s 98 was best for Senior Veteran. Class AA Mitchell Germany (NE) and Lady I shooter, Payton Detavernier (NE), each with only a single miss, took class and category awards.

CHAMPIONSHIP DAYS

Storm clouds Wednesday morning didn’t dampen the entries for the David Wommack Singles, as shooters strived for All-American points. Perfect scores were broken by Missouri residents Zach Nannini (AAA champ), Andrew Stone (Junior champ) and Kent Frost (Sub Veteran champ). Out-of-State 100 straights were turned in by George Hass (carryover AAA champ), Jayden Dalton (Sub Junior champ), Mitchell Germany (Junior Gold champ), Marvin Rustad (Sub Veteran champ) and Ricky Marshall Jr.

In the Cain Sadler Handicap, George Hass bested all entries by three birds with his 100 from the 27. For Missouri, Senior Veteran Ron McGee was champion with a 97. Also posting scores of 97 were 27-yard shooter Chase Horton (IL), winning his yardage group, Jack Knaus (Junior champ), Garrett Helms (Junior Gold champ), Frank Haynes (Sub Veteran champ) and Larry Brown (Senior Veteran champ).

Missourians Darrell Farr and Hunter Spruill each tallied 99 for Class AAA and Junior Gold respectively in the Joseph Leonard Doubles.

MTA has a reputation for offering many trophies to out-of-staters. NonResidents Bruce Davis (AAA champ), Gunner Gens (Junior Gold champ) and Mitchell Germany all turned in top scores of 100. Elise Baker (IL) claimed Lady I, Wyatt Debrie (NE) was Sub Junior champ and Scott Gens (MN) won Sub Veteran, all with a score of 99.

Hart Manufacturing Singles Class Championship was the first 200 target event of the week. Zach Nannini bested all Missouri scores with 198, winning AAA champ over David Hull in carryover. George Hass broke the only 200 for Non-Resident AAA winner

The WFJ Fienup Handicap was sponsored by Gipson Ricketts Lead Reclamation. David Hull’s 97 was good for the Missouri Champion’s trophy. Katelyn Cross (Lady I champ), Jackson Murphree (Junior champ) and Hunter Spruill (Junior Gold champ) each broke 96. From outside the state’s borders, 98s were high on the scoreboard. Ian Lawrence went three rounds of extras for the champion’s trophy against Scott Gens (Sub Veteran champ) and Jake Siegfried (Junior champ).

Dr. Chris Franklin (past MTA Director and state president) Memorial Singles was sponsored by his family on Friday. It took a nearly perfect score to take home a trophy. Missouri shooters with scores of 100 who won their respective categories included Anna Rawe (Sub Junior) and Tyler Mudd (Junior) after carryovers with Steven J. Fuller (Veteran), Nels Hanson (Class A) and Jackson Murphree.

Bob Graf’s Memorial Handicap was sponsored by Graf & Sons. In addition to trophies, 300 boxes of ammunition were divided amongst the winners of their respective yardage groups. Three scores of 99 topped the scoreboard. Louise McGee was the Missouri champion. Non-Residents Tyler Moreno (AR) and Eric Munson (MN) shot one extra round to declare Moreno champ and Munson the long yardage group winner.

Missouri Class Doubles Championship trophies were won by nearly 60 shooters. In-state, Zach Nannini was Class AAA champion with 99 while Brett Robinson was runner-up with 95.

Bruce Davis, Gunnar Gens and Scott Messenger all scored 100 for Non-Resident honors. Davis was overall champ, Gens took Junior Gold and Messenger was Senior Veteran champ.

CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES

The Robert L. Burg Memorial Missouri Singles Championship, drawing the largest number of entries (597), was sponsored by Tom Endres. Endres was also a major contributor to the road improvements on the grounds. Hart Systems Machining and Automation put in $6000 in added Lewis Money. 97 trophies were awarded in/out-ofstate. Champions also received an additional payoff to apply toward competing in the Grand American Champion of Champions race.

A lone 200 in-state put the champion’s crown upon Shelby Leann Odom, Lady I shooter from Mansfield, MO. Lee Rucker was runner-up with 199 plus 25 extras over Michael Brown.

Non-Residents carding 200s included Champion Greg Ferguson (CO), runner-up CL Fulton (KS), Class AAA George Hass (WI), Marvin Rustad (WI), Isaac Gregory (AR) and Ricky Marshall Jr. (NE).

Missouri High School/Junior High team trophies were determined in this Singles Championship event. The Arnold Junior Shooters team consisting of Jordan Ziercher, Quentin Chung, Austin Stoner, Maddie Cutler, and Andrew Stone won the high school division with 964/1000, just one target over the Wildcat Trap team. The Gateway Claybusters

SHELBY LEANN ODOM - SINGLES CHAMPION

MISSOURI STATE SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP

CH SHELBY LEANN ODOM 200 RU LEE RUCKER 199 AAA MICHAEL BROWN 199 AA HUGHIE COLEMAN 198 A BRETT ROBINSON 196 B IAN KUTILEK 195 C JERRY OLIVER 193 D GUY HAWKINS 194 LD1 KATELYN CROSS 196 LD2 BRENDA MOREHOUSE 182 SUB JR CALEB AYER 196 JR JORDAN ZIERCHER 199 JR GOLD ETHAN BOYER 196 SUB VET BOBBY CHAMBERS 197 VET STEVEN FULLER 196 SR VET BOB BOATWRIGHT 198 NON-RES CH GREGORY FERGUSON (CO) 200

Junior High team were champions with a combined score of 908.

DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

The Missouri Doubles Championship, sponsored by White Flyer, offered $500 added money donated by Gateway Gun Club. Hunter Spruill was the out-right champion with 99. Darrell Farr was runner-up with 98.

From out-of-state, Scott Gens posted the lone 100 for champion. Chase Hunter (runner-up) shot off his 99 against Greg Ferguson (AAA) and Ricky Marshall Jr. (AAA runner-up).

The Dave Dove Memorial Youth Fund awarded an MTA life membership to top Junior Andrew Stone and top Sub Junior Derick Gerding.

CHAMPIONSHIP HANDICAP

The Missouri Handicap Championship, sponsored by Wenig Custom Gun Stocks also included $1300 added money donated by MTA Directors, Officers and Management. Missouri 20-yarder Ian Kutilek took top place with 100 while Justin Daugherty (IL) claimed Non-Resident

MISSOURI STATE HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP

CH IAN KUTILEK

100 RU DARRELL FARR 96 3RD BOBBY CHAMBERS 96 4TH RANDY STITT 95 5TH TODD ALBERS 95 6TH DONNIE WONDEL 95 LD1 HALEY ALBERS 96 LD2 BETH TEEGARDEN 77 SUB JR LEVI BOLLING 95 JR WALKER JACOBS 97 JR GOLD HUNTER SPRUILL 94 SUB VET MARVIN BEUMER 98 VET STEVEN FULLER 92 SR VET JERRY OLIVER 95 NON-RES CH JUSTIN DOUGHERTY (IL) 100 HUNTER SPRUILL

MISSOURI STATE DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

CH HUNTER SPRUILL RU DARRELL FARR AAA ZACHARI NANNINI AA DAVID HULL A RANDY STITT 99 98 97 95 94

B C JACKSON MURPHREE 92 JORDAN ZIERCHER 93

D JASON BOWERS 87

LD1 BAILEY LUEDERS 96

LD2 BETH TEEGARDEN 71

SUB JR DERICK GERDING 94

JR

ANDREW STONE JR GOLD ETHAN BOYER 96 96

SUB VET DAVID DEITCH 96

VET DAVID SMITH

90 SR VET GARY GOOCH 93 NON-RES CH SCOTT GENS (MN) 100

champ with his perfect 100. Darrell Farr and Bobby Chambers each posted 96 for runner-up and 3rd places. Marvin Beumer opted for Sub Veteran honors for his 98.

Ian Lawrence opted for Junior Gold All-American points/trophy for his 99, making room for C.L. Fulton to claim out-of-state runner-up with 98. Troy Collier (TX) also carded a 98 for Sub Veteran honors.

IAN KUTILEK

CLUBHOUSE NOTES

The annual state meeting was held on Friday evening. Missouri State teams and members of the ATA All American Teams were recognized. The traditional Hall of Fame induction ceremonies honored 2020 inductee Dempsey Gottschalk and 2021 inductees Bobby Chambers and Dennis Alkire (posthumously).

Each year the MTA awards a $4000 scholarship. Youth Director David Hart presented Hayden Miller this year’s funding.

After the program shooting, several fun and social events were held throughout the week. A free hot dog roast was sponsored by Bob Schultz Target Shotguns. A Pump ‘Em Doubles Shootout was sponsored by Graf & Sons in remembrance of Bob Graf. Charlie White was the winner. Complimentary bingo games were played in the clubhouse on Friday and Saturday. Shamrock Leathers sponsored a shootout for Sub Juniors and Juniors, awarding the winners a leather bag.

Outgoing MTA President Todd Albers and incoming state President John Farrell worked alongside board members, directors and management staff to offer a well-run program on updated facilities. That work continues as the MTA looks forward to the Fall Handicap, which will be the last tournament for retiring club manager Lyndle Pruett, plus his longtime staff of Bob and Jeannie Rush.

Newly hired club manager, Skip Klinger began working alongside the current management May 1. He brings years of experience, most recently coming from the Pennsylvania Sportsman Association. His ATA shooting began in 1974 and he has been actively involved in shoot management since 1985. His plans are to expand the shooting opportunities by adding a sporting clays course, with support from the Lake Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau. A sporting clays tournament has already been set in motion to occur in conjunction with the Fall Handicap. Other plans are to build a new clubhouse, upgrade camping facilities with new sites on club property south of A Road, build skeet houses and in general, create bigger and better trap shoots!

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Graf & Sons, a long time and loyal supporter of the MTA, stocked the shell house to the best of their availability. Many vendors were back to provide goods and services. Mike Graf of Graf’s Reloading offered repair services on reloaders in addition to supplies. n

MISSOURI STATE HIGH ALL AROUND

CH RU AAA AA A B C D LD1 LD2 SUB JR DARRELL FARR ZACHARI NANNINI ANDREW STONE ETHAN BOYER TYLER MUDD THOMAS FIERGE WALKER JACOBS JASON BOWERS BAILEY LEUDERS BETH TEEGARDEN LEVIN BOLLING

JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

IAN KUTILEK HUNTER SPRUILL BOBBY CHAMBERS STEVEN FULLER BOB BOATWRIGHT NON-RES CH IAN LAWRENCE (IL) 392 388 387 383 380 374 371 359 374 319 379 388 387 386 371 385 397

MISSOURI STATE HIGH OVER ALL

CH RU AAA AA A HUNTER SPRUILL DARRELL FARR ZACHARI NANNINI HUGHIE COLEMAN CHASE PERRY

B HABE DARR

C D LD1 LD2 WILSOON TOLEN DONALD BUCHHEIT KATELYN CROSS BETH TEEGARDEN

SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

ANNA RAWE ANDREW STONE RYAN LOVELESS JAMES FROST DAVID SMITH GARY GOOCH NON-RES CH KEITH DITTO (KY) 1164 1155 1153 1130 1111 1109 1080 1080 1016 985 1084 1150 1127 1137 1098 1127 1172

TRAP CAMP

Summertime fun at camp gets even better when it’s a trapshooting camp! On June 9-11 at the Prairie Grove Gun Club near Columbia, Missouri, the Mid America Trap Academy offered nearly 60 new shooters an opportunity to sharpen their trapshooting skills.

New coaches/parents joined into the oneday sessions, alongside young shooters ages 12-17. Boys and girls from all corners of Missouri (28 different communities) and three Illinois towns presented a diverse mix of experience levels.

Each day a different group of twenty arrived to learn from four instructors. Dr. David Vaught, who established the camp in 2013 under his association with the University of Missouri. He has since retired from his duties at MIZZOU but continues to organize the camp as part of his work with the Missouri Youth Shooting Sports Association (MYSSA).

Instructors Tyler Schwab, Mark Brownlee, and Karla Harrison, along with Dr. Vaught divided each day’s shooters into four squads. Squads rotated from trap to trap, with a different topic of instruction presented before shooting, then moving to the next field. Lessons included basic fundamentals such as stance, hold points, eye focus, foot positions, and gun mount. Shooters concentrated on straight away targets, right and left angles. Going beyond the physical aspects, shooters were informed about proper etiquette, mental focus and sportsmanship.

At midday, the group used their lunch break to hold an informal question and answer session in the clubhouse. Kim and Bristol Jones were additional helpers. Bristol, a past attendee, is currently preparing to shoot for the MIZZOU club team, while she is enrolled as an incoming freshman. Shooters heard about collegiate shooting opportunities and scholarships to various schools.

Before ending each day, parents were invited to return and watch as students put all their new knowledge into action by shooting a full round of 25.

Ammo was made available by Federal and Winchester. Federal also sponsored caps, towels and pins for all participants to take home.