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March 2013 ATA Delegate Report

Written by ISTA Webmaster Tuesday, January 29 2013 12:05

March 2013 ATA Delegate Report
We were sad to learn of the passing of Roger Russell. My friend, Ron Piro, described Roger as an "all around good guy and a tough guy to beat on the trapfield." This appears to be a simple, yet accurate description of Roger. Our condolences go to Roger's family and friends. He will be missed.

There were a couple of new ideas coming out of the winter meeting of your Board of Directors. Both involve senior shooters. It was decided to sell 1/2 price life memberships to shooters 65 and older. The second item is a fun idea. Randy Miller generously donated trophies to be awarded to shooters 75 and older in the three championship events. It was decided the term, "elder" would be used to identify any shooter who has reached his 75th birthday by the first day of the state shoot. This not an ATA category {though, it should be}. Any shooter who qualifies should advise me or whoever classifies at the time of the entry. Claiming "elder" class does not preclude winning the ATA category of Sr. Vet. It is possible a person could win both. We thank Randy for his idea and support.

The board voted to induct Ned Meyer into the State Hall of Fame. Ned is very deserving of this honor. Ned is a good shooter and I doubt there are many who realize the work he has done on behalf of the ISTA. I feel he is the one person responsible for the positive financial condition of our association. He is a tireless worker and always looking out for the good of the Illinois shooter. Congratulations, Ned. We look forward to honoring you at the state meeting. Try to attend and help us recognize Ned's accomplishments.

I have mentioned before that I read trapshooters.com almost daily. There are always comments criticizing Illinois as an anti-gun state. A quick review of state shoot attendance tells a different story. 2012 numbers show Illinois 5th in the Nation. Only PA, MO, OH and IA had attendance numbers greater than ours. The Illinois State Shoot was actually larger than 7 Satellite Grands. Not bad for an anti-gun state. We also built the WSRC to host the Grand American. Aside from the quantity, the quality of Illinois shooters is evidenced by the number selected for the All American Teams.

As always, please contact me with any questions, comments or newsworthy items. I can be reached at:

903 Center Street, Mazon, IL 60444
815-448-5120 Home
815-735-2974
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jim Matteson, Illinois Delegate

2012 State Team Announced

Last Updated on Thursday, December 06 2012 09:41 Written by ISTA Webmaster Saturday, December 01 2012 00:00

January 2013, ATA Delegate Report
Jim Matteson, ATA Delegate

I would like to recognize this year's State Team members.

Men

Frank Bentley III (Captain) – 9592
Randy Miller – 9566
John Kravanek – 9403
Bradley Bomkamp – 9386
Charles Bickle – 9369
Ron Cox Jr – 9359
Scott Calhoun – 9222
Terry O'Brien – 9084
Jim Shipp – 9061
Mark Fielder – 9037

Sub-Veteran

Frank Haynes (Captain) – 9545
Brian Hezel – 9430
Frank Payne – 9369
Mike Dennis – 9353
Dave Dressler – 9327

Veteran

Mike Westjohn (Captain) – 9474
Jerry Sedlacek – 9390
Larry Lark – 9315
Kenneth Rigler – 9289
Joe Nehrt – 9165

Senior Veteran

Mike Jordan (Captain) – 9465
Larry Hight – 9266
Bill Jordan – 9189
Kenneth Jones – 9168
Terry Miller – 9097

Lady I

Lauren Mueller (Captain) – 9282
Ondrea Weikum – 8879
Rhonda Laurent – 8882

Lady II

Janice Rigler (Captain) – 9106
Linda Weihmeir – 8935

Sub-Junior

Dale Gerlich (Captain)– 9374
Hunter Thornton – 9244
Sam Greene – 8964
Gage Thornton – 8761
Kyle Blankenship – 8558
Tim Bartolini – 8416

Junior

Anthony Fortino (Captain) – 9622
Preston Crandell – 9418
Drew Strohecker – 9296
Andrew Narvick – 9269
Will Richars - 9236

Junior Gold

Tim Varble (Captain) – 9494
Brian Stehl – 9438
Andrew Simpson – 9393

Chair

Ziggy Tkaczenko – 8974

To be considered for the State Team, shooters must meet minimum target requirements during the 2012 shooting year. They must shoot the state shoot all around targets as well as any Illinois zone shoot all around targets. The target requirements are:

	Singles	Handicap	Doubles
Men	2500	2000	1500
Lady I & Lady II	1500	1500	1000
Sub Vets, Vets & Sr Vets	1500	1500	1000
Jr & Jr Gold	800	800	600
Sub Jr	500	500	400

If you find I made a mistake, contact me as soon as possible so we can make any necessary changes before the program is printed.

Illinois shooters performed well at the Autumn Grand in Tucson. All American, Mike Westjohn, started the target year off by breaking the first 300 singles targets thrown. By my count, he came home with 5 trophies. David Nelson had a good shoot, winning 5 trophies also. Included was a 99 in handicap, good for R.U. in Event #5.

Sub Jr, Christopher Haire, accounted for 6 trophies. I believe that handicap scores of 97 and 98 moved him to the 27 yd line. Andrew Narvick brought home 5 trophies. He had a 98, two 99's and a 100 straight in doubles. Very impressive.

Illinois sort of dominated Event #23, the doubles championship. Mike won AAA with a 99, Andrew won Jr, also with a 99 and Christopher won Sub Jr with a 96. Congratulations to these four guys on some fine shooting. We are proud of you.

As usual, I am asking for questions, comments or news. Give me some ideas to write about during the slow season. My home address is changing. By the time you read this, I will be living at 903 Center Street, Mazon, IL 60444. I can still be reached at:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
815-448-5120 or 815-735-2974

Jim Matteson
Illinois Delegate

February 2013 Delegate Report

Last Updated on Sunday, December 30 2012 21:08 Written by ISTA Webmaster Sunday, December 30 2012 20:57

February 2913 ATA Delegate Report

The ATA has announced the 2013 All American teams based on 2012 performance. Illinois shooters fared well again this year, as we have 14 All Americans, three of whom were captain of their respective category. Leading the way are Anthony Fortino (Jr), Dale Gerlich (Sub Jr) and Ziggy Tkaczenko (Chair).

First team All Americans are: Lauren Mueller-Lady I, Drew Strohecker-Jr, Tim Varble and Ryan Stehl-Jr Gold, Dave Dressler-Sub Vet, Jerry Sedlacek-Vet and Mike Jordan-Sr Vet.

Those chosen for All American second team are: Mike Westjohn-Men, Andrew Narvick-Jr, Larry Lark-Vet and Larry Hight-Sr Vet.

It takes a great deal of dedication to our sport to become a member of the All American team. To achieve All American status requires an investment of time and money and it also requires a great deal of talent. Congratulations to all of these folks. They have achieved the highest honor the ATA has to offer. As you come in contact with them this season, shake their hand and let them know we are proud of them.

As I mentioned last month, I have recently moved and have a new mailing address. The phone numbers remain the same, but my email address is changing. I do not yet have the new email address at the time I am writing this report, but it will be posted on Illinoistrapshooters.org as soon as it is available. At this time, my contact information is:
903 Center Street, Mazon, IL 60444
815-448-5120 home
815-735-2974 cell

Jim Matteson
Illinois Delegate

December 2012, ATA Delegate Report

Last Updated on Sunday, November 04 2012 15:46 Written by ISTA Webmaster Sunday, November 04 2012 15:17

December 2012, ATA Delegate Report
Jim Matteson, ATA Delegate

First let me take this opportunity to wish everyone Happy Holidays. I hope you are able to spend time with friends and family and enjoy this festive season.

It's with a great deal of sadness that I report the sudden passing of Bob Loitz. I first met Bob when he was managing the Peotone Gun Club. I was a new shooter back then and Bob was very helpful and pointed me in the right direction. Bob was very proud of his family. We visited regularly through telephone calls. The topic of discussion was usually trapshooting and updates on his sons, Victor and Joe. The Loitz family left their mark on Illinois trapshooting. Bob won the state handicap in 2000 with a 99. Joe was the doubles champion in 1974 with a 98 and in 1975 with a 100. For the past several years, Bob and Joe have donated the Loitz family trophy at our state shoot. These high quality belt buckles are awarded, appropriately, on Event 10 (doubles) and Event 12 (handicap). Bob was most proud that he and Joe won the parent/child trophy at the state shoot three times, in 78, 79 and 82. The legacy of the Loitz family is continuing in Florida where Joe is very active (presently President of the Florida Association) and grandson, Andrew is also performing at a high level. I am just one of many that will miss Bob. Our condolences go to the Loitz family. He was a good man and had a good life.

2012 State Shoot Winners

Last Updated on Tuesday, August 14 2012 00:42 Written by ISTA Webmaster Tuesday, August 14 2012 00:00

Pictures of the winners at the 2012 State Shoot.

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