Club News
Who Won the World Series?
Many competed, few walked away with trophies, but all put forth their best effort By Angela Sullins, Reprint Permission granted by NRA InSights Magazine Each year around 4,000 competitors make the summer trek to Ohio for the National Matches at Camp Perry, considered America’s “World Series of the Shooting Sports.” For five weeks, the best civilian and military marksmen and women from across the country compete in rifle and handgun competition. It’s been a tradition since 1907. One group of shooters, who often get overlooked or overshadowed, long to be a part of that tradition and happily make the trip to Camp Perry each year—the junior shooters. Just like everyone else, they also hope to fulfill their dreams. It’s also a chance for them to meet other young people who enjoy the shooting sports and learn a lot about marksmanship, sportsmanship and being a graceful winner—or loser.
The Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association Junior team took the pistol competition by storm, winning the junior team championship. L to R: Fred Totts (coach), Joey Totts, Ryan Nichols (captain), Shane Creekmore, Chelsea Pertginides and Dakota Creekmore.
The road to the National Matches was also a sweet one for the members of the Ohio Rifle & Pistol Association Juniors team, who arrived at Camp Perry with big dreams and walked away as champions. They bested the field of other junior pistol teams with a score of 2855-46X.
To get the team ready for the National Matches, Coach Totts said the key was, “Practice, practice and more practice,” which included one shot drills, reduced center bull targets, blank paper drills, dry firing and ball and dummy drills. He also had them watch their diet and cut down on sugar and carbs. “…But that is really hard for young shooters to do,” he said. There’s no question that the junior shooters had fun, made new friends and learned a lot from the whole Camp Perry experience, but they also left with a greater appreciation of the shooting sports and the tradition that runs deep at Camp Perry.
Cumberland Rifleman Inc. Educate Youth Members Update from Volume 13, Issue 2 The Cumberland Riflemen Junior Marksmanship Program is in full swing. Following the NRA First Steps program required classroom work, our NRA Certified Rifle Instructors, coach the students in the different shooting positions. Alan Weinerman, VP Cumberland Riflemen Millville, New Jersey 22 l club connection l Volume 14, Number 2