CAMP PERRY, OHIO - Calm conditions and sunny skies prevailed as three previous champions set new national records in all three classes in the 2011 National Rimfire Sporter Championship fired here Sunday, 24 July. Charles J. Opalewski II, Lucas Boord and Ron Villanueva, all past champions, once again reached the top of the podium at this year's event which also brought out a record number of 480 match entries.

Marty’s M1

The sun has just peeked over the horizon at our backs on this steamy August morning. We’ll all lose a few pounds before this day is over. My sweaty hands grip the wooden stock of the rifle as I check the sights. All around me others are in similar stages of preparation, some putting in earplugs. They’ve been here before and know the damage to sensitive ears when hundreds of rifles begin firing. Even though there are almost two thousand souls settled on this tiny peninsula, it’s strangely quiet, hardly a sound. The pre-dawn breakfast of powdered eggs, “SOS,” and syrupy coffee is lying heavy in my stomach which grumbles in protest. The guy next to me looks over and chuckles. No doubt he’s a veteran. I’m a rookie and my main concern is that  I don’t mess up.

High-Flying Father & Son Bond at 2011 National Trophy Pistol Matches

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – The ranges at Camp Perry are THE place shooting competitors come to win championships. And over the years, many very skilled shooters have graced the ranges and awards podium, leaving with hard-earned medals, plaques, badges and trophies. For many others it’s a place where family and friends come together to enjoy their summer vacations, combining shooting with family reunions and reacquainting with old friends and taking in the aura and atmosphere of the grand-daddy of all shooting events.

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – John Zurek, a 25-year veteran pistol competitor and invitee to the 2011 USA Shooting national development team in May, won the prestigious President’s Pistol Trophy Match on Sunday, 17 July with an aggregate score of 390-12X, which included a 100-0X in the timed-fire stage. Zurek, 47, of Tucson, Arizona, is also the coach and shooting member of the winning Arizona Rifle and Pistol Association team that captured the civilian team championship (Oglethorpe Trophy). He is also the high-ranking service pistol shooter in combined scoring in the President’s, National Trophy Individual and National Trophy Team matches.

Few Remaining Slots Available as Advanced Adult Remington-Bushmaster Highpower Clinic Begins to Fill Up

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – If you’re looking for the missing links to shooting well in competitive highpower service rifle, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better instruction, especially on the eve of the rifle phase of the 2011 National Matches. The clinic begins at 8 a.m., Friday, 29 July at the Camp Perry clubhouse conference center at the northeast corner of the training site.

Stormy Weather Drives SAFS Shooters from Camp Perry Range, CMP to Refund Majority of Fees to Participants

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – More than 380 Pistol Small Arms Firing School attendees fell victim to the unpredictable skies of Camp Perry on Monday, 11 July when not one, but two thunderstorms rolled through the area. The first storm delayed the shooting portion of the class for about 90 minutes and the second storm provided the knockout punch and ended firing for the day.

“Tough Ol’ Bird” Zalewski Battles Back from Gall Bladder Treatment Two Years in a Row to Shoot Pistol Matches

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – His son describes him as a ‘tough ol’ bird,’ but whatever you call Ron J. Zalewski, he’s bound and determined to get on the pistol range at Camp Perry, even if it means hanging an IV bag from his pistol box.

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Featured speaker Dr. Joseph W. Westphal, Under Secretary of the U.S. Army, echoed many of the sentiments of former president Theodore Roosevelt as he officially opened the 2011 National Matches during the First Shot Ceremony here on Rodriguez Range, Monday evening 11 July. Though the world has changed considerably in the last century, it is just as unsettled as it was when President Roosevelt established this competition in 1903,” Dr. Westphal said as it relates to defense preparedness, marksmanship training and competition.

Davis Edges Bullard in Precision Class as Gill Runs Away with Sporter Crown in 2011 National Junior Olympic Air Rifle Championships

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Connor Davis, the reigning National Junior ROTC precision air rifle champion, continued his winning ways at the 2011 National Junior Olympic 3P Air Rifle Championship here on 28 June but only by the slimmest of margins over Samantha Bullard.

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Cpl Peyton Hebert, USMC, Quantico, Virginia fired an aggregate score of 385-3X to win the 2011 CMP Service Pistol Warm-Up Match here on Tuesday, 12 July. Cpl Hebert fired a 190-1X in slow-fire, 97-1X in timed-fire and 98-1X in rapid-fire.

Army Under Secretary Dr. Joseph Westphal to Open the 2011 National Matches as First Shot Ceremony Guest Speaker

CAMP PERRY, OHIO - Under Secretary of the U.S. Army, Dr. Joseph W. Westphal, will open this year’s National Matches festivities as the guest speaker at the First Shot Ceremony here on 11 July at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Friends of Camp Perry Memorial Plaza, located at the opposite end of the entrance to Camp Perry on Lawrence Road. The Honorable Dr. Westphal will also fire the ceremonial first shot with a M1 Garand Rifle upon the conclusion of his remarks. The ceremony kicks off the prestigious National Matches, considered the World Series of the Shooting Sports, an event which draws thousands of pistol and rifle competitors, civilian and military alike, with a history dating back to 1907 at Camp Perry.