TIM'S CORNER (New)
July Oklahoma Delegate news
Jul 24, 2020, 9:22:13 PM
Several Oklahoma shooters attended the Arkansas State Shoot. I think I counted 9, with Samuel Arrington breaking 100 straight in Singles, and most of them winning trophies.
The Nebraska State Shoot was on the same date, and 6 Oklahoma shooters attended their shoot. Christopher Diller broke 99 in the main Handicap, and 25 extra's to win O/S Champion. Kya Funkhouser broke 97 in the Doubles to win. Ron & Brayden Bliss had 196's in the Singles. Both states had great shoots, with good attendance.
Ada's Tues, June 30th shoot was won by Austin Palmer with 47, and Zoe Thrayler was next with 46.
Shawnee's july 5th shoot was well attended. Mitchel Wyatt & Kenneth Green were high in the Singles with 46's. Chuck McCall won the handicap with 44, and Kenneth won the Doubles with 42.
The pandemic is on the rise in almost every state, including Oklahoma. It is affecting everything we do. Texas had to scramble at the last moment, and hold their State shoot in n3 locations, because of restrictions in san Antonio. It was held in San Antonio, Waco, and Amarillo. This is a great testament of how everyone came together to get it done and have another great Texas State Shoot. Most Oklahoma shooters went to the Amarillo site, only 250 miles away, and a great place to shoot.
The Texas State shoot ended on July 5th, and our Oklahoma state Shoot started on July 6th. Monday was not part of the HOA, to allow for travel time. Billy Hopson brought a truckload of Texas trophies for Oklahoma winners. We were all very appreciative for him to take the time to do so. It's funny how these things work out. When our State shoot is the 1st of June, I usually take 2 boxes of trophies for Texas shooters to the Kansas State Shoot, and Dalton Jennings helps me distribute them. Monday still had good attendance with 91 shooters. Weather was perfect, and scores were very high, with 6-100's and many 99's. Pat Stacey was 1 of the 100's, and then had severe pain sending him to the hospital. After receiving treatment for gallstones, he was back the next day, breaking 98 in the Handicap. Billy Pierce broke 99 to win the Handicap on Monday, from the 25 yard line. Brayden Bliss won the Doubles on Monday with 98. On Tuesday the fog gave way to another perfect day. Corbin Grybowski & Caleb Fischer ran 100 in state, and there were 3, 100's out of state, in the Singles. Pat's 98 won the Handicap. And then he broke 99 to win the Class Doubles. In the Singles Championship Pat added 1 more win to his credit with 200. Brian Stoa won RU with 199. Jeff & Paula Trayer, both All Americans last year, may be the only husband & wife Oklahoma All Americans to date. They also won the Husband & Wife award in the Singles. Pat & Josh won the Parent & Child award. Klayton McGee won AIM Champion, after a shootoff with Shelby Skaggs. In the Golden Boy Rifle shootoff 4's & 6's were drawn. fifteen shooters answered the call, and Mike Grove was the only one to run 10 straight, to win the gun. The Oklahoma State meeting was held on Thursday morning at 8am. It was held outside under the Ketchum Pavilion to allow for social distancing . Shooters and families have been very cooperative, keeping numbers in the clubhouse to less than 15, about 80% of the time. Pres. Ron Bliss thanked everyone for their cooperation and ask for 10 seconds of silence to honor all who have been affected by the pandemic. At the meeting we honored the State teams, Rookies of the year, and 12 All Americans, the most Oklahoma has ever had in a single year. Paul, and Mikie Hooper were honored, and inducted into the Oklahoma Trap shooters Hall of Fame. There were 2 new members who volunteered to serve on the BOD, Chance Fleming, and Shelby Skaggs are now on the Board. Tim Deister spoke about the Grand American being moved to Linn Creek, MO, for this year. It is 250 miles closer to us, a great place to shoot, and vacation. Everyone was encouraged to attend. He also announced that in Mid-November there would be a Delegate change, from Tim Deister, to Ron Bliss. Ron held the meeting in record time, and we were ready to kick off the Doubles event, when 2 flooded traps give the target setters trouble. It could have been because of the 70 MPH wind, torrential rain, and storms that blew thru last night. When I rolled in at 7AM, it looked like a great big pond. Garland Sears brought us extra traps, and they worked to get everything going again. Garland has been our life saver at more than one State Shoot. The Doubles started off with a South wind, then turned to a North wind affecting scores. It did not affect Corbin Grybowski much, he was Champion with 99. He was wearing his ring from winning the Grand American Doubles. The Handicap was won by Kevin Crockriel with 97. and won the ATA, HOF award also. Ron Bliss, and Samuel Heinerikson had 96's. Colton Mewer was 3rd with 95, and all received punches. Corbin won both HAA with 390, and HOA with 677, Pat had 676. On Friday evening there was a Memorial for Roger Finkle. Carol Brown put together a picture array, displaying many pictures of Roger thru out his life. She served a special dinner for everyone. Several people spoke of Roger's friendship, and accomplishments. In the Roger Finkle/Jimmy Brown Memorial handicap, Jeff Trayer won the special Belt Buckle.
The Southwestern Zone Shoot at our El Reno site started on Friday, thru Sunday. According to records 43 trophies were won at our site, with 131 shooters. Linn Creek was next with 35 trophies, and 500 shooters. Complete results should be in this magazine, with the write ups.
Ada's Tues July shoot was won by Don Bowers, and Randy Farmer with 46’s. The July 13th shoot was won by Johnny Wilson with 48. Randy, and Vickie Farmer won trophies at the Texas State Shoot. Randy won a very nice Belt Buckle as the O/S Champion in the Main Handicap. Vickie won O/S short yardage Champion, D Class Doubles on Friday, and O/S HAA, D Class.
On Monday July 20th OTSA hosted the National High School Rodeo Assoc. Trap shooting event. 130 competed, some from as far away as Alaska [2], and Hawaii [1]. It was a well-run event, enjoyed by both Boy's, and Girl's, shooting their 1st round of trap. All those breaking 22 and above, move on to shoot another round. one shooter ran 4 straight rounds for 100 to win Champion. The shoot moves around the country each year, and was scheduled to be held in Lincoln, NE, but restrictions prevented it. After meeting with officials, and looking at the OTSA El Reno Shooting Park facilities, they decided to move it here. Next year it is slated to be held at Des Moines, IA. Trap, and rifle shooting are part of their program.
Ada's Tues. July 21st shoot was won by Grant Corning with 47. Let's keep all those affected by the Pandemic in our prayers.
Tim Deister
Oklahoma ATA Delegate