The “Kick-Off” weekend for the 2020-2021 Pennsylvania Junior Olympic State Rifle Championships, held at the Jerome Sportsmen’s Association indoor range, is now in the books.

This was the first such event ever held at the Jerome Sportsmen’s facility and Coach Rininger complimented his all-volunteer staff for keeping the registration and all other phases of the matches moving smoothly.

Mrs. Barron and Mrs. Rininger were stationed at the registration table the entire weekend logging in the teams and entering their “USA Shooting” information. The ladies answered questions and informed all participants about their shooting lane positions and time slots.

Five members of the Everett High School Rifle Team signed up for the match and two team members of the Seitzland Sting Rifle Team from East Freedom, PA were also on the schedule.

Sienna Chippie, Jerome Jr. Team member, along with her teammates shot in both the 22. Caliber and the 177. Caliber Air Rifle events on this opening weekend. Later, our Jerome Jr. shooters will be on hand as volunteer-workers for the rest on the competition.

 

Above are, Hanna, Elissa, Nicole, Ruby, Issac, and last shot is Zach, alone on the range.

Following Covid-19 guidelines all those entering the facility had their temp taken and logged in by Mrs. Klingenberg. This technique also takes a good aim and a steady hand. Don’t move Haley!

Thanks goes out to the “Target Girls” for passing out the bar-coded paper targets and backers to each shooter as they prepared to head for the range.

Another big thank you to all the members of the cleaning crew (made up of Jerome Team members and parents) for wiping down surfaces, brass pick-up, trash removal, swabbing the deck, and other housekeeping assignments.

The Range Safety Officers (RSO’s) started each match with a 5-minute video covering the special rules for this event.

The Range Safety Officers are a vital part of these competitions because a match cannot be held without a certified RSO on site.

After the safety video, Don Hammer, the RSO, added additional insight and tips for the shooters not familiar with this Olympic style format. Don is with Shanksville Stonycreek Rifle.

We have to thank these RSO’s; Don Hammer, Dave Strayer, Terry Altimus, and Craig Sprock for devoting their time, for this PA State Jr. Olympic competition.

Coach Rininger stated, “They all did a great job keeping the firing line safe and keeping the matches starting right on time.” He added, “The RSO guys all did a commendable job.”

The new Jerome Jr. Rifle Team Banner was displayed over the doorway to the range, welcoming all participants.

Thanks to Scott and Angel Mader for the Flat Screen and the wireless hook-up in the main lobby area. Great for parents and staff so they could keep up on the latest rifle results, individual and team scores.

Our team mascot “Bruno” was on hand as the team’s emotional support dog and he received much attention from most of the dog lovers in attendance.

Yes, temps were mandatory for all entering the building.

The JORC will continue for the next two weekends. When concluded, the official standings and an updated report will be posted here with a series of photos covering the entire competition.

 

See you at the registration desk next weekend for Part Two of the PA Junior Olympic State Rifle Championships. It’s not over till…

 

 

Great to see an article featuring our Jerome Jr. Rifle Team event. Making the Front Page of Sports is a great way to showcase our young shooters, staff and fine indoor range at the Jerome Sportsmen’s Association. We’re making the range ready for Saturday at Noon.

All the shooters above are consistently in the “TOP FIVE” on their High School Teams and have been in training, year round, for this Jr. Olympic Competition. Good Luck Girls and Guys, keep a keen eye on your targets.

The Jerome Sportsmen’s Club has been selected to host the 2020-2021 PENNSYLVANIA JUNIOR OLYMPIC STATE SMALLBORE & AIR RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIPS at their Indoor Range Facility. Coach Barry Rininger, of the Jerome Jr. Rifle Team, is organizing the event.

The Jerome Sportsmen’s Club is located in Somerset County, 3220 Jerome Hill Road Hollsopple, PA 15935. The event will begin on Saturday, February 13, at noon and run for two consecutive weekends: 19-20-21 & 26-27-28. The event is sponsored by: Pennsylvania Rifle & Pistol Association and sanctioned by: USA Shooting. This is a 3-Position Olympic style event.

In an announcement to Rininger last fall, Alex Szablewski, Sr. Manager at USA Shooting, said, “I am excited to let you know your club has been selected as Host Site for the PA Jr. Olympic Rifle Competition (JORC). Without your help the program would not exist and the efforts by you, your rifle team members and volunteers, are truly appreciated by USA Shooting.”

During the JORC match competitors; ages 13 to 20, will shoot both 22-caliber LR ammo and 177-caliber air rifles. Approximately 60 competitors are currently registered for the event.

Once a match is complete the targets are scanned into an Orion Computerized Scoring System. The Orion generates a printout listing the score of each shot to the tenth degree. It also depicts, in color, the size and shape of each target group. Individuals are scored as a member of a team and as individuals. All scores are sent via email to USA Shooting.

Those with highest scores can earn invitations to compete in the National Junior Olympic Rifle Competition Center, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This event annually attracts top shooters from all over America. Exact dates of this competition will be announced later in the year.

 

 

At the recent Palmyra 22^nd Annual Invitational Shoot, the U.S. Army West Point, Black Cat NCAA team came in First Place with a total score of: 4682. 

Top Shooters on their Team include, Pakkam Anusha,Lauren McMahan,  Clayton Hanson, Kyle Kutz and Kaitlyn Kutz.

The West Point Army Team has both men and women on their team and they all shoot 22. Cal. Smallbore and 177 Air Rifle..

The University of Akron Zips traveled from Ohio to Palmyra to compete in the event. The Zips came in Second Place with a score totaling : 4663.

Top Shooters for University of Akron are: Samanth Shultz, Fort Wayne, Ind., Kayla Andreoli, Washington, PA and Lauren Kadooka, from Kailua, Hawaii.

Our Jerome Jr. Team totaled a score of: 4464. This was a very impressive showing in competition with two of the best 3-Position Collegiate Rifle Teams in the USA.

We landed in Third Place with Army and Akron included. However, we were ranked No.#1. among Eight other High School Rifle Teams in the competition.

The Jerome Team “Top Five” in 22 Cal. Smallbore : Elissa Barron, Haley- Fetterman, Ruby Korenoski, Nicole Rininger, Sierra LaPorta.

A few of these photos or individual team members were taken prior to Covid-19 restrictions.  Same is true for pictures below.

Jerome’s “TOP FIVE” on AIR Rifle: Elissa Barron, Nicole Rininger, Ruby Korenoski, Haley Fetterman, Sienna Chippie.  GREAT SHOOTING TEAM! Continued Success for the rest of the season!

 

 

 

 

 

The 22nd Annual Palmyra Invitational Smallbore and Air Rifle Competition was held last Sunday, January 24, 2021 at the Palmyra Sportsmen’s Association.

I won’t keep readers in suspense:  The The Jerome Jr. Rifle Team was successful in this recent competition and they were competing against nine other High Schools and two Collegiate Teams. Both the University of Akron and the U.S. Army Rifle Teams were in this competition.

When the final scores were tallied for this event The Jerome Jr Team came in FIRST Place among the competing High School teams.

Only the Army Team and the University of Akron “ZIPS” beat our Team’s score. Now, a few more comments about the Palmyra Facility.

As you enter the Palmyra Sportsmen’s property you will pass by the Outdoor Archery Range and the Archery 3-D course, on the Right.This is the main entrance area through the doorway on right side of the building.

The large multi-purpose shooting facility is located near Annville, PA, in the greater Harrisburg / Hershey area.

This sprawling property is approximately 200 acres of outdoor shooting ranges for Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun (Trap and Sporting Clays) and Archery target and 3-D Archery. Indoors there is a 22 cal. range, an Air Rifle range and a indoor Archery Range.

The Junior Rifle Program at Palmyra Sportsmen’s Assoc. is one of the best youth smallbore (22 Cal.) and Air Rifle (177 Cal.) programs in the nation. A Junior shooter is defined as anyone age 20 or younger. A shooter can compete as a Junior through December 31 of the year they turn age 20.

Several of our new Team Members were a bit nervous about shooting at a “Big Event” like this. When we arrived in the parking lot filled with vehicles,  one of our Jerome Team members told their Parents, “ I don’t want to shoot with all these people watching us.”

But, after the registration process, and setting up their gear, they all soon settled into their pre-shooting routines.

Every registered rifle marksman must also be a current member of the: USA Shooting org and the PA Rifle and Pistol Association.

In addition to nerves, the new kids on our team were a bit intimidated with Palmyra’s electronic scoring system. This is a different way to shoot and score, because paper targets are not shot at.

Once all the gear is actually on the Range, each shooter has their own way of preparing for the match to begin. Some meditate, some count sheep, deer or cattle ,from 1-to- 50, and a few even say a prayer. This prep period provides each shooter to mentally calm themselves and zone out all distractions.

Coach Barry Rininger gives Zach Tedrow  a member of the North Star High School Rifle Team, a few last instructions before the match begins. We also have shooters from; Conemaugh Twp, Somerset, Berlin, and Windber on the Jerome Jr. Team.

Hey Sierra, don’t look above you now..Because some one is watching you through the “Looking Glass.”

The plastic barriers between each shooting lane made for tough photography and the Mask Rules didn’t help much for recording the happy, smiling faces of our team.

In addition to pre-match nerves, the new kids on our team were slightly intimidated with Palmyra’s electronic scoring system. This is a different way to shoot and score, because paper targets are not shot at.

Instead, a computerized system is used where shooters aim at a lighted screen, linked to the computer system, with only one black target as the aiming point. All of our “Vets” claim the electronic targets are much preferred in matches over paper.

As each shot is fired the score appears on each shooters laptop. So there’s no need for competitors to use their 60-80 Power Spotting Scopes to track their every shot.

This enables the competitors to remain in position and not move around trying to adjust their spotting scope to see every shot.

Here’s a photo at our Jerome Sportsmen’s Range competition with a shooter set up in the Prone Position to use a 60 power spotting scope.

At our Jerome range, paper targets are used . This involves much more movement by the shooter to see where they are grouping each shot. They then must re-adjust for the next shot. This takes more time. Haley is one of our “Top Shots” and she keeps her movements to a minimum. She is a Four Year Varsity  on the Rifle Team and has mastered this technique.

Shooters with less experience have have a difficult time quickly  spotting their own paper targets.  The Coaches will often spot for the newer shooters until they can use their own scope efficiently. That’s very important because a Shot-Clock is running and competitors must finish before Time runs out.

The Palmyra computer screen registers the score of each shot as it is fired. It is easy to see each shot on the laptop screen as a enlarged bulls-eye. The screen also updates the total of that position.Palmyra complied with all Covid-19 Mandates and had plastic curtains between each lane.

The Yellow shot is the current shot, the Blue shots are all previous shots. In addition, the screen tallies your score immediately.

Parents and spectators can view the TV Monitors on the wall just outside the Range area. for instant updates on all shooters in the current position.

 

Some spectators chose to keep track of their team member by logging on to the Palmyra WiFi system. Family members back home can also log into Palmyra WiFi and keep up with contest scores.

Several groups of Parents tried to avoid the semi-official Jerome Jr. Photographer. However, they couldn’t do it and they also avoided the Video guy from Channel ABC-23 from Harrisburg. Check their website for their brief coverage of the event.

By days end our team members all agreed they liked shooting at one, isolated target as apposed to the 12 bulls-eyes on a paper target.

The “TOP FIVE” on the 22 Cal. Jerome Team were: Elissa Barron, Haley Fetterman, Ruby Korenoski, Nicole Rininger, and Sierra LaPorta.

The “TOP FIVE” on the Jerome 177 Cal. AIR Rifle Team were: Elissa Barron, Nicole Rininger, Ruby Korenoski, Haley Fetterman, and Sienna Chippie.

Coach Rininger was pleased with Jerome’s shooting and commended all team members on their improved score over last year’s results. He added, “ This was a great showing by our kids. Especially so, because the stress level and keener competition here is unlike any other matches we participate in”.For more detailed  info and Individual scores, go to the Palmyra website.

The Jerome Jr. Rifle Team is made up of members from several local High School Rifle Teams. These marksmen are all considered to be the “Top Shots” on their individual High School Teams. The High School rifle team season was delayed due to Covid, but now the teams are back in action. 

Check out Conemaugh, North Star and Somerset H.S stats from their recent competitions. The students in the “Top Five” Match Scores are competing against one another during their rival High School competitions. However, they all come together, as a Team, for the Jerome Jr. Rifle Events.

This coming weekend the Jerome Team will be shooting in the Palmyra Invitational Event. So, watch out Annville, here they come, Hot Shots, all.

The Jerome Sportsmen’s Club has been selected to host the 2020-2021 PENNSYLVANIA JUNIOR OLYMPIC STATE SMALLBORE & AIR RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIPS at their Indoor Range Facility. The event will be sponsored by: Pennsylvania Rifle & Pistol Association and is sanctioned by: USA Shooting.

In an announcement to the Jerome Jr. Rifle Team, by Alex Szablewski, Sr. Manager at USA Shooting, he said, “ I am excited to let you know your club has been selected as Host Site for the PA Jr. Olympic Competition, without your help the program would not exist and your efforts are truly appreciated by USA Shooting.”

Match Contact: Barry Rininger, 3404 Stoystown Rd Box 185 Stoystown PA 15563, 814-233-6000, (bsrbuildigsystems@gmail.com)

Registration: Entries are now being accepted. Please email: Lee Ann Rininger (larininger@gmail.com) and Trish Barron (tbarron@stoystownauto.com) for squadding. The requests will be filled in the order in which they were received.   Every effort will be made to accept all competitors. Entries will be accepted to range capacity (12 lanes per relay). Following confirmation, individual entry fees and completed Entry forms need to be mailed to the above address at least 2 weeks prior to the date of firing.   Teams will register at the match and must be named before the first person fires.

Dates:    12 – 14 February – 19 – 21 February – 26 – 28 February

Location: Jerome Sportsmen’s Club, 3220 Jerome Hill Rd. Holsopple PA 15935

Eligibility: Competition open to all competitors born in 2001 or later.

Membership: All competitors must be individual members of USA Shooting and the PRPA and must show membership cards at check in or join at match. Please go to USA Shooting.org and pennarifleandpistol.org for membership signup. Additional forms will be available at check-in.

Directions: The address of Jerome Sportsmen’s is: 3220 Jerome Hill Road, Hollsopple PA15935 From Somerset and the South, travel 219N and exit the Jerome exit. Make a left off the exit and travel through the town of Jerome to the top of the hill, make a right onto Jerome Hill Road and the sportsmen’s entrance is 100 yards on the right.

National JORC: A complete match program and other information will be sent to all competitors via email who earn invitations. The USAS National JORC will be fired at the US Olympic Shooting Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2021. Exact dates will be announced in the future and may be subject to change.

 

Ticket sales for the team’s fundraiser are moving along and last evening Nikki Tedrow presented her report at the Jerome Jr. Rifle Team’s practice.

The Diamond Back AR-15 is a popular item, get your ticket soon.

Shooters are socially distanced while on the indoor range and face masks are in use.

Thanks again to “Jennerstown Tactical” for their help in this effort.

 

The Jerome Jr. Rifle Team has moved to their Indoor Range because the sun is setting faster every day, limiting their shooting time. At outdoor practices, no masks are required, but inside they are in use.

All Rifle Team members and coaching staff are required to wear masks while shooting indoors, however, the added benefit of indoor practice is the air cleaning HVAC system in use at Jerome.

Shooting range operations generate airborne dirt and lead particles as guns are fired. The lead particulates in the air can be dangerous to the team, coaches and patrons of the ranges and need to be properly captured and removed.

AAF Flanders Company manufactures a complete line of high efficiency filters for the multi-stage filtration required to scrub the air within the firing range. Three stage units that are installed at the Jerome Indoor Range use one 2” x 24” pre-filter, then a Hi-Tech “Flanders Foremost Air Filter, 24”x 24” by 12” in size, @ $300. each, and a final 2” filter.

Coach Rininger is holding the 12-inch deep filter and he changes the filters on a regular schedule as required. Many of these filters can be used as pre-filter, secondary, or final filters. Flanders also provides gun ranges with a full line of air filtration systems and filter housings that meet the unique requirements of the shooting sports industry.

In addition to shooting ranges, typical applications include, automotive, commercial buildings, data centers, museums, historic storage, libraries, healthcare facilities, schools and universities.

Re-circulated or exhaust air must be filtered at the point of removal, using a minimum 99.97% High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, per the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) recommended particle for HEPA/ULPA filters (IEST RP-CC001).

To provide an extended life cycle of the HEPA filters, it’s also recommended that HEPA filters be pre-filtered with a minimum of MERV 14 filters. Likewise, all filter sections should have pressure-measuring devices for filter maintenance. Systems like this used in structures are often referred to as “clean rooms”. This filter system at the Jerome Range has addition health benefits in this Covid-19 environment we are now living in.

Parents and even our Team Mascot, Bruno, are taking safety precautions to help fight this pandemic.

The Jerome Jr. Rifle Team, and their support roadies, traveled to Murrysville for the “Fall 2020” 22.cal 3-P Competition last Sunday. As usual, Coach Rininger set up the breakfast BBQ and good food was prepared for all. This event is at a the 50 yard outdoor range.

The Coach believes the Rifle Team functions better on a well balanced diet of fresh eggs, home grown meats and veggies. He claims the Team travels on its stomach.

Even the Team mascot, Bruno, wanted a custom-made egg omelet. His master, Nicole, gave him a kiss on the nose and an extra slice of cheese while his meal was being prepared.

Haley and Sienna were first to hang their targets and were happy to get the cool competition started.

The weather was a bit chilly as the temps dipped to the Frost Warning and most of our shooters insisted on wearing extra clothing, coats and hoods under their “Shooting Gear”.

Maryasa had a bit of trouble getting her shooting jacket on. Just too many layers. This makes for a very tight fit. It did make for additional support. How cold was it? 37 degrees at the start and cold fingers were the big complaint. Triggers are set at about 6 oz. and numb fingers make consistent pressure during each shot difficult.

Nicole was so cold she that had her hood on too, gloves were not an option. However, she asked her Dad to get her a warm hat.

During the last 3 Murrysville Competitions, the heat was on. By the afternoon rounds on previous shoots the temps were in the high 80’s. This cold spell was a big shock for the shooters.

Ruby and Elissa were ready to begin shooting, but notice that they’re both clutching their hands trying to keep their trigger fingers warm. During every Outdoor Match the weather plays a part in the scores. The elements, wind, fog, sun-glare, heat, all can get into the shooters mind-set. Indoor rifle events at the regulation distance of 50 -feet seem easy by comparison.

At 9:00 am the sun was shinning directly into the shooting lanes. This makes it difficult for the shooters to see their sights, so the roadies use sheets of burlap to act as blinders to block the sun. Sienna’s Mom and Elissa’s Dad were on duty to get the job done.

Sienna was not yet pleased with the sun blocking procedure. Squint!

Haley gave the sun-blocker a smile, it was working in her lane.

Sierra was good to go. She wasn’t letting the sun bother her aim.

Nick was focused on his targets, waiting for the match to start.

Elissa is always calm and cool at every competition, regardless of the weather.

Ruby’s ready, just waiting for the Range Officer to start the clock.

The Officials were dressed warm for the start of the clock, let the shooting begin.

Zach’s parents were keeping an eye on the competition.

Hannah was off to a fast start in the prone position. Open sights are the rule at 50 yards and the targets look like tiny black dots.

Zach was good with the sun blinders during the prone event.

When the match moved on to the “Standing” phase, the sun wasn’t as big a problem for Nick. But, he left the burlap blinder in place.

Hannah had no problems with the sun while in the standing position. Hannah and her team-mates to her right side had the help of the trees that border the range to provide a shady area. No blinders needed here.

The sun was still an issue with Ruby even with the standing position.

Time to change the targets, take a break, and check with the parents

Rows and rows of targets to score. It’s a big job for the Officials.

 

Mrs. LaPorta and Mrs. Fetterman volunteered to learn how to score. Great help for the Officials, thanks ladies.

The Murrysville Club house is the H.Q. for the rifle matches.

End of the day inside the clubhouse, waiting for the scores to roll in.  The Official results will be sent by emails to the Coaches when all stats have been compiled. Coach Rininger said he was very proud of the effort our team made during this full day of shooting. Every shooter made progress in one or more in the 3-Positions and this is good news for future events.

Bruno did a great job as Mascot, he did slow the match a bit when he decided to check out the rifle lanes when the shooting  began.

Bruno back safely in his master arms, a fine end to a beautiful day.