NYPENN Regional Silhouette Championship: August 30-31 2008
Broome County Sportsmen’s Association: Kirkwook, NY
Our first day of competition started out gloomy with thick clouds and some light showers around for our morning smallbore rifle silhouette competition. But spirits remained high in anticipation of a great match and we had 20 competitors on the line spread over 2 relays. Shooters were particularly happy that they were going to remain dry under the range cover since target setting duties were being handled by student volunteers from the Maine-Endwell Central School District music department. After the Star Spangled Banner, shooters let loose a barrage of bullets that sent many targets spinning to the ground. Scores were tight throughout the match and in the end the smallbore rifle silhouette regional champion was Brian Wakefield (M) of Smethport, PA with a 2 match aggregate score of 59 followed by Neal Sundberg (AAA) of Endwell, NY with a score of 58 and Jim Fitch (AAA) of Binghamton, NY with a score of 56.
After a break for a chicken BBQ lunch it was time for our afternoon smallbore hunter rifle silhouette competition. Thankfully the weather improved and we enjoyed pleasant sunshine with just a bit of a breeze for the remainder of the day. Again the scores were tight with little wiggle room at the top. Brian Wakefield (M) was able to make it 2-for-2 as he claimed the smallbore hunter rifle silhouette regional championship with an aggregate score of 62. Rob Smith (AAA) of Meshoppen, PA and Paul DePhillip (AAA) of Endicott, NY finished next in line tied at 61. The tie was broken as Rob Smith won the shoot-off on turkeys placing him in second with Paul DePhillip in third.
Our second day of competition featured matches for open air rifle, sporter air rifle, and target air rifle. The weather was just about perfect with brilliant sunshine, pleasant temperatures, and just a bit of a breeze to contend with. It was a cozy atmosphere indeed with 7 competitors on the line over 2 relays. Things moved along right quick and before lunch we had Dave Thatcher (M) of Hellertown, PA winning the open air rifle regional championship with a 2 match aggregate of 62, Greg Shirhall (B) of Richford, NY was in second with a score of 41, and Bob Jodin (AA) of Endicott, NY placed third. Winning the open air rifle High Woman award was Pat Shirhall (B) with a score of 22. The champion in sporter air rifle was Greg Shirhall (A) with an aggregate score of 16. The champion of target air rifle was David Lee (A) of Binghamton, NY with an aggregate of 43 followed by Dave Thatcher (M) with a score of 41.
Many thanks go out to all the volunteers who made this all possible and to Gander Mountain for supplying gift cards for door prizes.
A complete listing of all competitor scores can be found on line at:
www.hpcutlery.com/silhouette.htmlSee you next year!
-Mike Sporer
Match Director
NYPENN Regional Silhouette Championship
