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Cajun Spring National
Field Target Match Results
by David Still
Cajun Spring Nationals match began on
a clear and chilly day. The temperature was around 42 degrees with an occasional breeze.
The site-in course was very well organized with plenty of paper targets placed in five
yard increments. Metal spinner targets were placed every ten yards from 20 to 50 yards.
Many shooters were challenged with two 3/8" spinner targets placed at 50 yards. There
were 32 competitors signed up for the Precharged Class and 15 shooters for the Piston
Class. Five state teams were designated with four shooters per team.
Saturday's competition was
divided into two 30 shot courses (Bel Terre and Lagniappe). Each course held 15 targets
requiring 2 shots per target. Two groups of airgunners were assembled to shoot each
course. In the afternoon, each group reassembled to shoot the opposite course.
At the end of the Round 1, Brad Troyer and David
Still lead the tournament with scores of 29 of 30 shots. Wade Sutherland was in second
place behind by only one-half point. After breaking for lunch, each group returned to
complete their opposite course.
The Bel Terre course seemed a bit easier as compared
to the Lagniappe course. The course did present a very difficult 45 yard turkey positioned
in an open area susceptible to crosswind. This course had many obstacles such as tree
limbs, single blades of grass, and large vines. One of Tom Itterly's pellets found its way
into one of the large vines crossing a shooting lane. After hitting the vine, Tom was
heard saying, "That's the same vine I hit twice last year."
The Lagniappe course had the competitors
shooting in the sun at targets placed in the shadows. Many competitors were unable to
score a hit on a crawfish (small kill-zone) positioned across a gully set about 24 yards
from shooter. On this course, the dreaded two-headed snake was found which was also used
as a tie-breaker target. Each snake head had to be hit consecutively to score one point,
otherwise one-half point was awarded if only one snake head paddle was knocked down. Also
on this course was one standing shot placed approximately 17 yards from shooter.
Only occasionally was wind a factor.
In most cases, the shooter could wait a moment for the wind to subside then take the shot.
Yet, in the afternoon, the wind had a tendency to linger at a constant speed.
At the completion of Saturday's Round 2,
Wade Sutherland lead the pack with a score of 58½ of 60 shots. During Round 2, Wade was
able to score a perfect 30 of 30 targets moving him easily into first place. David Slade
was in second place with a score of 57 of 60. Bill Noda lead the Piston class with a score
of 46½ of 60 shots.
Sunday's Round 3 (40 shots) used the
combination of both courses requiring only one shot per target. A few competitors lost
valuable points due to shooting the same target twice. New targets were introduced and
some targets were moved. The turkey with the small kill-zone on Lane 18 was move
from 45 yards to 49 yards.
At the completion of Round 3, there was one
shoot-off match for the Piston Class. Paul Watts and Steve Cox shot head to head for 3rd
place position with Paul Watts winning the shoot-off.
Wade Sutherland won the match and Open
Class "A" with a score of 97½ of 100. Rodney Boyce took first place in the Open
Class "B" with a score of 85½ of 100. Stan Holt took first place in the Piston
Class with a 76 of 100. Dorothy Holt won the Women's Class with a score of 61 of 100 and
Andrew Holt won the Junior Class with a score of 41½ of 100.
All 47 shooters seemed to enjoy the
match. Special thanks to Jack Kirkendoll and the match volunteers
that made the event such a success.
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