CMP’s Air Gun Events Draw Record Number of National Match Competitors

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – A record number of air gun pistol competitors entered the National Matches Air Gun Events at the Camp Perry Marksmanship Training Center during pistol week, according to Brad Donoho, Program Coordinator. Several shooters participated in the National Match Air Pistol Competition for the first time in the re-entry matches and 60-shot Air Pistol Championship Match at the three-year-old venue.

The Overall Match Winner in the air pistol championship and defending 2009 champion with a score of 571-14X was John Zurek Jr. of Chandler, Arizona. Zurek, who also participated in the National Trophy Pistol Matches, was this year’s high-scoring civilian in the President’s Pistol Trophy Match.

The High Senior in the National Matches Air Pistol Championship was Gary Peterson, 62, of Levittown, New York, with a score of 555-11X. The High Junior in the air pistol championship was Jacob Hedrick, 20, of Boerne, Texas, who shot a score of 547-6X and the High Woman in the championship was Shelby Cammack, 19, of Sturgis, South Dakota, with a score of 545-8X.

Donoho reported that 383 entries were logged during pistol week in unlimited re-entry air pistol matches and the 60-shot championship event, many of which were junior shooters. He said in 2008, the new Competition Center had approximately 100 entries and that more than doubled to 259 in 2009 and has climbed once again to 383, which are dramatic increases.

“What’s interesting is that several competitors don’t realize that the air gun range is no longer between buildings on Commercial Row. Our facility is air conditioned and features 80 electronically-scored firing points – quite a contrast to the old air gun range,” Donoho said.

“Of course the more entries we have, the larger the cash prize becomes for the championship and challenge matches,” he said.

The Competition Center will remain open during the CMP highpower rifle phase which runs through 7 August.
 

The Air Pistol Match winners were award special certificates on stage during the National Trophy Pistol Matches Award Ceremony Sunday evening.

The 30 Shot Air Rifle Re-Entry match is open during the Smallbore Rifle Phase of the National Matches for a cost of $5 per entry. Competitors must bring their own precision class air rifles. The course of fire is unlimited sighting shots and 30 record shots on the ISSF air rifle target. Shooting clothing that is legal according to ISSF or USA Shooting rules may be worn. Shooters who enter this match will also be entered in a “Top Center Shot” match.

Competitors can earn gold, silver or bronze award pins by firing a score according to the cut-off scores posted in the Official Air Gun Program at http://www.odcmp.com/NM/AirEvents.htm.

Match officials will calculate the distance to the center of the target of the best center shot fired during the 30-shot event. Competitors are invited to shoot the event as many times as they wish with $2 of every entry fee going into the Top Center Shot prize pool for this match.

The 60-Shot Air Rifle Championship is a one-time event that may be fired on any day between 21 July and 28 July on scheduled Championship Match relays for a cost of $10. With so many competitors having different schedules, this will give all competitors who wish to fire this match an opportunity to select a time that fits their National Matches schedule. Shooters will have one hour and 45 minutes, to shoot unlimited sighters and 60 record shots on the ISSF air pistol target. Competitors are asked to report to the range 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

Loaner rifles are available for use for a small fee. Pellets can also be purchased at the Air Gun Center.

During the shoulder-to-shoulder competition, each shooter will be given a five minute sighting period, followed by 20 record shots in 22 minutes. Prize money will be distributed based on the number of event entries with 75 percent of all entry money to be distributed as prize money. If there are more than 450 entries, $3,375 will be distributed among the top 10 shooters with the first place winner winning $900.

Log onto http://www.odcmp.com/NM/AirEvents.htm for scheduling and more information regarding the airgun events. Visit http://cmp1.zenfolio.com/p663149644 to view photos of the Air Gun Events.

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