Muzzle Blasts Online

...for the muzzleloading enthusiast

The muzzleblasts.com domain, subdomains, content, etc., are neither affiliated with the NMLRA nor its paper magazine Muzzle Blasts

Muzzle Blasts Online
Muzzle Blasts Online Cover
Apr 1998/May 1998 Volume 3, Number 2

Territorial Matches Help Junior Shooters Develop

Sharron Smith instructing first time competitor

Sharron Smith instructing first time competitor

As we travel through the muzzleloading fraternity, we often have the opportunity to visit with special people. I consider the opportunity to watch new shooters developing through the territorial program a valuable experience in my summer of travel. This past summer Guy R. and I had the chance to visit with many junior and sub-junior shooters in the four territorial matches we attended. Actually, we visited with them at only two of the four, since only two territorial matches had youngsters shooting. The two were Pennsylvania and Michigan. Pennsylvania had six sub-juniors and five juniors compete. Michigan had four in each category.

Junior Michigan 1997 Territorial winners

Junior Michigan 1997 Territorial winners

Pennsylvania was a great experience. The highest matches fired by a sub-junior were shot here. Mike Blazier made everyone proud when he finished with a 100-9X. Charles Kuhns followed closely behind with 100-5X. Kiera Gearhart, Kyle VanNuys, and Michael Jefferson finished out the top five. The sixth shooter was a neat eight year old girl whose parents took time off from shooting their own aggregates to ensure that the kids had time to shoot. The encouragement made me proud to know them. Of course, since Michael Jefferson traveled up from Maryland and the others were from Pennsylvania, the east coast was well represented. Since Michael also happens to be our grandson, you could never tell that pride was something felt by Grandma and Grandpa Smith. Yeah, right!!!

Sub-Junior Michigan Territorial winners

Sub-Junior Michigan Territorial winners

Michigan gave us a new meaning to participation. I had the opportunity to watch Krista and Jacob Broullire from Niagara, Wisconsin come out to the range with their grandfather, Bert Mathias of Flint. Both got talked into shooting, and Krista had never shot offhand. She had a good time, and finished high in the standing. I think you will be hard pressed to decide who was more proud.

Mary Amelia Taylor, 2nd in the Top 10 1997 Sub-Junior

Mary Amelia Taylor, 2nd in the Top 10 1997 Sub-Junior

Another grandfather, Ralph Stout, from Ohio, came up with several grandchildren, and gave up his shooting so the kids could fire their matches. Chas Santile, Brad Northrup, and Tim Northrup all finished respectably. Dan Harrison and Gabe Ruiz were both visiting the Michigan Territorial with their grandparents and ended up shooting the matches. I guess that since only Krisha Miller shot with her parents, you could say that grandparents have some influence on the shooting activities of their offspring. Maybe we have more patience? No, I don't think so.

Junior Pennsylvania Territorial winners

Junior Pennsylvania Territorial winners

The Territorial program is in need of Junior and Sub-Junior shooters. A note to parents and grandparents reading this column--make the time to take the kids to the range and get them started off correctly. We need the young people to take our places on the line and to keep this sport alive. Well, at least we need to encourage them into making good choices. The final qualifiers from Michigan and Pennsylvania were as follows:

Junior Michigan  Territorial winners

Junior Michigan Territorial winners

Take some time next year and get involved with youngsters from your area. Take them out to the range and encourage their participation in the shooting sports. See you on the line.






Choose to Sponsor this Edition Muzzle Blasts Online Cover
...and your message will go here and
your graphic will display there →