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| The North Carolina National Guard Training Site at Camp Butner hosted the first annual Eastern United States Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship. A special thanks goes to CSM Del Foster and his staff for all their support to make this event possible. |
The 2006 Eastern United States Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship took place 25-30 June at the North Carolina National Guard Training Site at Camp Butner. Experienced coaches and instructors from the United States Marine Corps Rifle Team and the Army National Guard “All Guard” Rifle Team conducted clinics for both new and experienced junior shooters which included instruction in both shooting individual matches and shooting as a member of a coached team.
In an effort to promote interest, education, and competition in Highpower Rifle Shooting among junior shooters, Bob Hughes and Brad Palmer, two active junior highpower leaders from North Carolina and Connecticut respectively, took the lead in organizing the 2006 Eastern United States Junior High Power Clinic and Championship. Thirty new and experienced junior shooters, representing six states, attended the clinic and matches.
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Julie Coggshall, Meriden, CT, had the high score in the 800-point aggregate and was third overall in the Eastern U. S. Junior Championship.
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The first two days of the clinic included classroom instruction, squadded practice and zero firing at 200, 300 and 600 yards. On the third day, the juniors shot a 20-shot 600 yard match. Kevin Trickett, of Wobrun, MA, was the top shooter with a 197-8X. Day four featured a 800 Aggregate National Match Course where the top score was fired by Julie Coggshall, of Meriden, CT. Her 773-26X total could have been even better except that she crossfired in the standing slow-fire stage. Christopher Atkins, of Brunswick, GA, finished second with a 772-20X. Ryan Castonguay, of New Hartford, CT, finished third with a 768-25X. The Marine and National Guard instructors also fired with the juniors in a “Commanders Match” where USMC GySgt Kevin Marion posted the top score of 794-26X. This gave the juniors a unique opportunity to shoot alongside some of the best shooters in the U. S. After the match, competitors and support personnel enjoyed a pig roast cooked and donated by Ed Elliott.
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Sgt John Godwin of the USMC Rifle Team coaches a junior during the Eastern U. S. Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship. Members of the USMC Rifle Team and Army All Guard Rifle Team assisted in coaching throughout the week.
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The Billy C. Atkins Team Match, a two-person team match with each member firing the 50-shot National Match Course (Whistler Boy Course), was held on Thursday. Juniors were paired up according to the previous days scores and teamed up with a coach for the match. The Benedict’s Bandits team with Trickett and Castonguay and coached by
Sgt Ryan Bendedict won with a 974-31X. Brad Palmer coached the second place team, Connorgia, where team members Atkins and Coggshall combined for a total of 971-32X. The NCRPA team, consisting of Steven Lunsford and John Beall and coached by David McFarling, placed third with a 958-22X.
Also on Thursday, the juniors fired a 50-round CMP EIC “Leg” Match. A total of 27 non-distinguished competitors fired in the match so three legs (one 8-point leg and two 6-points legs) were awarded. Christopher Atkins earned the eight point leg with a score of 488-14X. Daniel Atkins (486-17X) and Derek Monjeau (486-13X) both earned six point legs. Junior EIC place medals were awarded to the top three competitors: Kevin Trickett (490-15X), Christopher Atkins and Steven Lunsford (488-13X). The 486-13X cut score has to be among the highest ever.
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SSgt Stuart Mackey, ANG, instructs juniors during the Infantry Clinic as TSgt Garey Diefenderfer, ANG, demonstrates the correct prone position.
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Juniors attended an Infrantry Match “Rattle Battle” clinic on Friday morning and fired the Infantry Match course of fire. This was a new and exciting experience for most of the junior shooters. The Infantry Match consists of six team members along with a team coach and captain. The team is given 384 rds of ammunition and eight targets. Teams begin at the 600 yard line and fire for 50 seconds. The teams then proceed to the 500 yard line and again fire for 50 seconds. If any ammunition is left, teams move to the 300 and 200 yards to finish their firing. Scores are determined by the number of hits from each yard line.
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Chris Atkins, Brunswick, GA, was the top overall junior in the Eastern U. S. Junior Championship. Atkins was also the top Non-Distinguished competitor in the CMP Junior EIC match and was awarded eight EIC points.
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The awards ceremony closed the clinic on Friday afternoon. Christopher Atkins was named the Overall Junior Highpower Championship with a 2000 Aggregate score of 1941-55X. Atkins, who is a Non-Distinguished shooter, won the President’s Rifle Match during the 2004 National Matches at Camp Perry. Kevin Trickett placed second with a 1939-53X and Julie Coggshall finished third with a 1931-64X. Award plaques were also given the top overall winners by classification. Chris Atkins was the top High Master, Kevin Trickett was the top Master, Daniel Atkins was the top Expert with a 1914-60X, Neil Sookedo was the top Sharpshooter with an 1881-38X and William Long was the top Marksman with a 1821-41X.
Overall the first annual Eastern Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship was a very successful event. Special thanks goes to everyone who helped make this event possible and the the sponsors. To view the full results, visit http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=1286. View pictures at http://www.odcmp.com/Photos/06/EJrHPClinic/index.htm.
A press release on the Eastern United States Junior Highpower Clinic and
Championship was also posted in the North Carolina newspaper, The News &
Observer, at http://www.newsobserver.com/1115/story/457716.html.
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Christopher Atkins - Top High Master |
Kevin Trickett - Top Master |
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Daniel Atkins - Top Expert |
Neil Sookedo - Top Sharpshooter |
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