Camp Perry, Ohio – September 2024– This year, the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) National Air Gun events, part of the month-long National Matches, saw over 480 entries from both adult and junior competitors. The series was held entirely within the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, located on Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio.
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For the first time, the Air Gun series included bonus “Steel Challenge” competitions on CMP’s two Laser Shot Simulators, first installed at the Competition Center in 2023. Offered July 14 to Aug. 7, participants were able to compete in either rifle or pistol, using modified firearms in a simple videogame format.
“The Steel Challenge was a great addition to the air range this summer!” said Catherine Green, CMP North Competition Center Coordinator. “The cool, dark room was a welcome cave to hide from the hot, muggy weather.”
The “Steel Challenge” simulator program presented a roundabout stage with five steel targets, one with a red post. Competitors fired the controller (rifle or pistol) at each target on a projector screen in front of them, avoiding the target marked with the red post, in a timed scenario. Those with the fastest completion times in each discipline were declared the overall winners.
Over 180 visitors used the simulators throughout the National Matches, with a total of 70 visitors participating in the Steel Challenge competitions – and even more rotating in and out of the simulator room as spectators.
“The nice thing about shooting the Laser Shot is how social it can be,” Green said. “You can come in and shoot your match or just fire for fun by yourself. Or, if you’re there with friends or fellow competitors, you can talk, banter and encourage from the seating area behind the participants.”
“It’s kind of like how at an arcade, you can watch your friends play their games,” she added. “This is the CMP’s version of an arcade.”
Leading the Rifle Laser Shot Steel Challenge was Corey Cooper, 19, of Galena, OH, with a time of 9.3 seconds. Following closely in second was Curtis Brotherston, 42, of Colorado Springs, with 9.5, as Nicasio Montelara Demick, 18, of Wetumpka, AL, finished in 10 seconds.
In the Pistol Laser Shot Steel Challenge, Jace Walters, 16, Elyria, OH, completed the course in a time of 8.4 seconds to claim the overall win. Mark Fiji, 38, of Los Angeles, CA, claimed second place with a time of 9.6, while Chris DeForge, 37, of Tampa, FL, finished with in 10.4.
Down the hall from the simulator room, the 80-point electronic target range of the Competition Center was the site of the National Air Gun events. Participants of all experience levels were welcomed and encouraged to participate in the wide variety of competitions offered during the month-long series.
In Air Pistol, Lake Yoke, 29, of Naples, FL, claimed the top spot in the 40 Shot event with a score of 372-7X. SSG Nickolaus Mowrer, 35, of Colorado Springs, managed to narrowly squeak out a win by one point in the 30 Shot Air Pistol event with a score of 286-8X.
The 30 Shot Pistol competition featured a coinciding Center Shot Match, which awarded prize money to the top competitors, based on participation in the match. Firing the shot closest to center and earning $204 from the CMP was Cameron Zwart, 39, of Comstock Park, MI. Timothy Sarchett, 57, Hudsonville, MI, took home $163.20, while Mowrer earned $122.40.
In Air Rifle events, earning the win in the AiR 15 Challenge was Thomas McGowan, 19, of Hortonville, WI, with a score of 394-15X. A total of 187 competitors fired in the match, with McGowan earning $500 from the CMP for first place.
SFC Amanda Elsenboss, 35, of Williamsburg, VA, fired a score of 392-18 for second and $300, while SPC Zevin Linse, 21, of Columbus, GA, brought home $200 and third place overall with a score of 392-8X. Casey Hollenbeck, 18, of Marathon, WI, finished in fourth for $125.
The rifle schedule also included “bench” matches, where participants were able to fire from a fixed position – ideal for new competitors or those with ailments.
Leading competitors of the Bench Matches were:
- 30 Shot Sporter – James Mervyn, 50, Sumpter Twp., MI – 313.4
- 30 Shot Precision – Robert Tackett, 54, Findlay, OH – 318.6
- 30 Shot AiR-15 – Clint Townsend, 41, Senatobia, MS – 306.6
The 60 Shot Bench Air Rifle Championship not only named the top overall competitor but also recognized the High Woman, High Junior and High Senior participants.
- Overall/High Junior: Jack Ogoreuc, 17, Grove City, PA – 634.2
- High Woman: Joyce Edwards, 73, Marblehead, OH – 628.4
- High Senior: Thomas Kerbel, 66, Gibsonburg, OH – 632.4
Though the National Air Gun events are over, the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center is open all year long! Stop in Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. No prior experience necessary, with equipment available for rent. Learn more at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.
Find a complete list of results of the National Matches Air Gun events on the CMP’s Competition Tracker page at https://ct.thecmp.org/NMAirGunResults24Results. Photos of all events of the 2024 National Matches may be viewed and downloaded for free at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/f456222492.
– – Ashley Dugan, CMP Writer
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.
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