In 2011, the Service Rifle Shooters continued to dominate the ranks, taking 1st, 3rd, and 5th through 15th places overall. There were a total of 26 Service Rifle Shooters, and only 7 Match Rifle Shooters, with the Service Rifle folks taking 7 of 8 top honors. The following is a brief overview of WVRPC's 4th annual State Championship Match in Highpower Rifle. The match is part of the ISRPA Championship Series, and will be included with the Atterbury 500 yard shoot as an Aggregate.

The turnout was good again this year, with a record 33 shooters from Indiana and Illinois. This year we had three junior shooters, one of which was a woman. The field was made up of 6 High Masters, 10 Masters, 9 Experts, 3 Sharpshooter, and 5 Marksmen or MU.

Match Winners (L-R) are Roger Copsey, Nathan Scott, Andrew Cox, Richard Buckley, Carolina Crone, Tim Hanenburg, Bob Winding and Steve Reisman.

Stan Mitchell was Match Director, with help from Beverly Schnelle, Debra Courtright, Rick White, and Jonathan Rhoades. The weather was nearly perfect for Highpower, much different than most of our matches in 2011. The morning started at about 60 degrees and warmed to the low 80's by the end of the match, with a nearly perfect clear sky. Wind was variable later in the day.

The match consisted of 4 individual matches, and one aggregate total. Each firing line represented a match, 200 yard slow fire standing, 200 yard rapid fire sitting, 300 yard rapid fire prone, and 600 yard simulated slow fire prone. At the end of the first match (200 yard slow fire standing), Roger Copsey led all competitors with a 189-3, followed very closely by Nathan Scott 189-1, and the next 7 competitors were within 6 points. Offhand scores were generally good this year, with the top 12 competitors within 8 points of each other. The rapid fire stages showed some really great shooting, with several "cleans". Nathan Scott from the Roachdale 199-10, Gary Chaney 199-9 and Dave Schnelle 199-5 finished at the top of the second match (200 yard rapid fire sitting).

Aggregate after two matches, Nathan Scott maintained a 1 point lead over the rest of the pack. Only 5 points separated the top 5 competitors. The leader was Nathan Scott 388-11, followed very closely by Roger Copsey 387-9, Bob Winding 386-9, Gary Chaney 385-9, and Karl Ohliger 383-7.

The third match (300 yard rapid fire prone) was won by Eric Courtright with a 196-10, followed by Nathan Scott 196-7, Roger Copsey 196-6, Steve Reisman 195-5, John Kidder 195-5 and Eric Becker 195-2. Aggregate scores after 3 matches showed Nathan Scott maintaining his lead of a single point 584-18, followed closely by Roger Copsey 583-15, Bob Winding 580-13, Gary Chaney 579-14, Steve Reisman 572-15 and Eric Becker 572-9.

Only 5 points separated the top 4 competitors, as they began pulling away from the rest of the group. The final stage of fire and the fourth match of the day is the simulated 600 yard stage, slow fire prone. The target is extremely small even at 300 yards. The X ring is less than 3" across, the 10 ring less than 6". This fourth match had 8 competitors over 195! It was won by Dave Schnelle with a 199-9. Following closely were Steve Reisman shooting a personal best 199-8, Nathan Scott 198-11, Roger Copsey 198-9, Wayne Faatz 197-8 and Bob Winding 196-7.

The aggregate total of all four individual matches resulted in the widest spread of this Championship Series as the top 2 competitors widened their lead further. A total of 11 points separating the top 5 competitors. Top shooter for the day was Nathan Scott, out shooting all others with a 782-29 out of a possible 800. Nathan is the Indiana State Overall Champion at 300 yards. Congratulations Nathan! Championship aggregate scores can be found on page 12.