Hi, everyone. You can tell Illinois shooters were active at the Grand American by the number of milestones that were reached. As before, the number is the milestone reached and the s, h, d, and c after their name stand for singles, handicap, doubles and combined respectively.
25,000
Thomas McCue S; Greg Aitken S; John Morgan H; Ted Mueller S; Robert Randell S
50,000
Lauren Dunn D; Marvin Cremer H; Lawrence Nemec H; David Peace S; Ken Knearem S; Tony Jones H
100,000
Ron Fearheiley C; Mark Chiodini C; Norman Lemay C; Ken Rigler S; Mark Fielder D; Ronald Roesslein S
Quite an impressive list. It makes me proud to be an Illinois shooter when you see the dedication that is going into our sport. The word for the Grand American this year was HOT, both in scores and temperature. It was miserable shooting on occasion, but I know of no one who required medical attention during the shoot. Illinois shooters displayed their usual excellence by all sorts of class, category and yardage group wins. See the Trap and Field magazine Grand issue for detailed results. I want to talk about one Illinoian who came ever so close in the big one. Junior shooter Steve Margherio broke 100 straight from the 27 yard line and tied for the Grand American Championship. Sadly, he lost the shoot off, but he won the Junior Championship. He also completed his Grand Slam while still in High School. I talked to Steve after the shoot off and I know he was really disappointed. I told him, and I truly believe, that if he keeps shooting as he has been, one day he will be holding one of those big trophies. Steve is a great shot, a keen competitor and a great young man. He is an asset to Illinois trapshooting.
I was saddened to learn that long time Director Ned Meyer has resigned from the ISTA board. Ned has been with the organization for so long and done so many great things for Illinois trapshooting it is difficult to imagine going on without him. I understand that personal problems have caused this and want to wish him the very best in the future. I also want to congratulate Lauren Dunn who has agreed to replace Ned on the board. Thanks Lauren for stepping up, I know you will do a great job.
As I write this, the new shooting season is about to start. I want to wish everyone good shooting in the coming year and encourage everyone to support their local, small clubs. Without your support, we will lose them.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate