Around Oklahoma
Around oklahoma from kevin nanke – august 2021
Around Oklahoma August 2021 At this year’s AIM Grand Championship, 26 shooters from Oklahoma competed against a field of 1,652 total classified shooters. Breegan Barnett broke a 98 in the handicap championship to win 7th place Jr and High Lady Jr Champion. Three Oklahoma shooters made the trophy report for the Doubles Championship. Layton Freas (Jr Class Runner-up) and Mason Tucker (Jr Class C 3rd) both shot 93’s. Justin Freas finished 3rd in the Jr Gold Class D with an 80. Kenyon Bert broke a 99 in the first 100 and ran the second 100 for a 199 to win Jr Class AA Champion. Zoe Traylor broke a 194 to win the High Sub Jr Lady Champion with a 194. Congratulations to all of the Oklahoma AIM shooters, you represented Oklahoma at the highest level. When you see Paul Hightower and Monte Tucker thank them for their time and mentorship as they guide the AIM program. The Grand American gave shooters a wide range of weather conditions but mostly hot and a wonderful opportunity to catchup with old friends! This year’s Grand American had 3,119 classified shooters representing all 50 states, two Canadian provinces, and two foreign countries. Forty-two Oklahomans made their way to Sparta which ranked 18th amongst all states, provinces, and countries. Oklahomans posted great scores during Preliminary and Grand weeks along with winning numerous class/yardage and category trophies. All the scores and trophy reports can be reviewed at https://scores.shootata.com. It is extremely difficult to win a trophy at the Grand American and I would like to recognize a few of the winners. Shelby Skaggs won or placed in numerous Lady I events, bringing home a lot of hardware. Dakota Sliger picked up several Sub Jr trophies. Randy Farmer was 3rd in the Trap & Field Handicap in the 23.0 -24.5 yd group. Ron Bliss scored a Vet Champion with a 100 straight and Jeff Trayer shot a 98 for a Class B 3rd in the Precision Fit Stocks Doubles. Kya Funkhouser placed in multiple events, in the open category or class. Billy Pierce was the Class D Runner-up and Clay Laughlin was Jr. Gold 3rd in the ATA World Doubles Championship. Other Oklahoman’s placing were Patrick Stacey, Justin Cavett, Zoe Traylor, Christopher Diller, Corbin Grybowski, Robert Rimer, and Mitchell Wyatt. Congratulations to all! Oklahoma will be well represented when the All American points are finalized. Ada hosted a Big 50 program under sunny and hot conditions. Twenty-three shooters heated up singles with Matt McElhannon delivering a 50x50 to win the event. Scores were high for all classes; Mike Grove 46 (A), Mitch Wyatt 48 (B), George Wise 46 (C), and Emile Heitland 49 (D). Category winners were Zoe Traylor (Lady), Noah Heitland (SJ), Mike Meeks (Vet), and Bennie Livingston (Sr Vet). Noah Heitland continued his roll by winning the handicap event with a 47. Mike Grove 41 (Long yd), George Wise 40 (Mid yd), Zoe Traylor 42 (Lady), Mike Meeks 45 (Vet), and Wayne Loyd 44 (Sr Vet) won their group or category. The heat was really waning on everyone for doubles. Johnny Wilson won the event with a 44. Category winners were Mike Grove 40 (A), Kevin Nanke 37 (B), Larry Higgs 39 (C), Randy Hill 41 (D), and Noah Heitland 29 (SJ). OSTA hosted the End of the Target Year shoot on a very hot, humid, and windy day. Twenty shooters started the singles event with Ron Bliss and Nathan Lemke both shooting 100s. Ron Bliss won the coin flip for champion and Nathan Lemke took Class A winner. Class winners were Jeff Barker 92 (B), Kevin Nanke 93 (C) and Randy Hill 98 (D) winner. Handicap had four shooters break 96 or higher, Josh Stacey, Jeff Barker and Kevin Nanke all received a punch. Patrick Stacey won the event with a 98 earning an honorary yard. With a heat index of over 100°F, 14 shooters closed the day with a doubles event. Patrick Stacey (Champion), Ron Bliss (A), Sonny Cook (B), Josh Stacey (C), and Mikie Hooper (D) won their respective classes. Congratulations to Josh Stacey for surpassing the 25,000 singles milestone. As the affects COVID continues to influence our lives; please keep yourself, family, and your communities safe and healthy. Oklahomans, if you have any shooting news (new shooters, club improvements), accomplishments (100 straights, 50 straights), milestones (100,000, 50,000, and 25,000 target achievements), and/or shoot scores including singles, handicap and double winners please send them to me. You can reach me by cell 405.694.1790, email waterhoma@gmail.com, or mail 15817 Harts Mill Rd, Edmond, OK 73013.
Hennessey held their last Big 50 program of the 2021 target year, Aug 29. Skies where partially cloudy with light winds. We welcomed new shooter Brandon (Elizabeth) Whitice, an Air Force pilot who just started a 1-year deployment at Vance Air Force base. Sixteen shooters started the day with singles. Rose Shaffer broke a 48 to win the singles event. Kevin Nanke shot a 48 to win handicap and a punch. Nine shooters closed the day with doubles, Rose Shaffer shot a 47 to win the event. Check out all the scores and pictures from the day on OSTA’s website. A huge thank you to Brandon and Elizabeth and all of our service men and women for your service!
Kevin Nanke ATA Delegate