Coach Mike Knapp has been fielding a 4-H Rifle Team from Somerset County for the past several years.

This season, Coach Knapp and Assistant Coach, Barry Rininger, made up a new team from 4-H members who are currently on the Jerome Jr. Rifle Team. Above shot was from their last practice at our Jerome Sportsmen’s Range a few days before heading to Shenecoy.

Ruby Korenoski, Haley Fetterman, Nicole Rininger, and Elissa Barron, all 4-H members, made the trip to the Shenecoy Sportsmen’s Club in Huntingdon, PA for a 3-P outdoor rifle competition, back on April 10, 2021.

Our Penn State 4-H contacts at the Shenecoy event were Penn State educators in the 4-H program. The Shenecoy Clubhouse was the headquarters for all the events.

Penn State 4-H Extension Educator, Laurie K Hubbard, organized the event for our team. Laurie heads up the 4-H Animal Science Team for the Penn State at the Glades Pike office in Somerset PA.

Darlene M. Resh, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Penn State Extension for Adams County was a busy person logging in new arrivals and explaining the rules of the competition. Darlene is from Gettysburg, PA.

There were Rifle, Shotgun and Archery teams here from all over Pennsylvania. The event was scheduled over two weekends to accommodate all the participants. Darlene was also involved with the Skeet Shooting competitions.

Shenecoy has a nice clubhouse and the skeet ranges here are famous for their clear sky backgrounds. There are no confusing backgrounds, of trees, limbs, and structures, to take a skeet shooters eye from their targets.

Ruby had to see for herself, the skeet fields are perfect.

Here a shooter sees the claybird, and nothing but clouds and sky. Many state and national skeet championships have been held on this course.

Michael Martin, Ph.D. South Central Area Educator, 4-H Youth Development, at Penn State was the Rifle Match Coordinator and Official Scorekeeper at the rifle range. Mike is from Chambersburg PA.

Mike explained the Range Rules, clock management, and stressed that no coaching is permitted once the shooters were in position.

Every outdoor range our team shoots at is a new and different situation. Each facility is unique and the terrain, weather, wind makes each new range a challenge in of itself.

These Four ladies are no strangers to the statewide levels of competition involved in these 3-P shoots. They all have been successful this season at the High School, WestPAC, PIAA, and Jr. Olympic competitions.

Elissa and Nicole shot in our first relay and their shooting technique and their serious disposition impressed the Safety Range Officer.

Later, Ruby and Haley geared up to shoot the last match of the afternoon.

Coach Rininger kept a close eye on the shooters throughout the rifle competition. It’s difficult to score the black targets at 50 yards in low light conditions. You almost have to see them close-up in order to get an actual score.

The shooters were not allowed to touch  or remove their targets. However, they were allowed to take cell phone shots to record their shots. Elissa was doing some serious math..the scores were a real Nail-Biter.

Their leather shooting jackets helped keep the shooters warm. It was a cool, overcast and breezy day. A gust of wind can blow a bullet off course at any moment.

Darlene and Mike were intent on scoring the targets of the previous teams, while our Four 4-H ladies were sending bullets downrange.

Nicole and Elissa took turns spotting for Ruby and Haley when they were on the range. BUT, you could not talk to the shooters or give them any indication about how they were doing in their 3-positions.

Ruby and Haley checked out their targets and took a few cell phone shots. We then did our own “rough” score to see about where we stood in the competition. There would be another weekend of shooting after this, so we left the range not sure where we placed in the overall competition at Shenecoy.

Mike Martin and the Range Safety officer took down the last targets that Haley shot, and then we packed up our gear for the trip home.

The all day shoot, in cold weather, made for a long day outdoors. The wait for the results of the 4-H Competition took even longer. UPDATE: Coach Knapp has recently been informed that our 4-H Team won the statewide event at Shenecoy.  Our team has now qualified for an invitation to the 4-H Nationals to be held in Grand Island, Nebraska in late June. Congrats to our “4-H Four” on their PA State Championship and Good Luck Ladies on your travels to Nebraska.

The Jerome Jr. Rifle Team has “Five Hot Shots” who have been recently named to the WestPAC – All Conference Rifle Squad. Congratulations go to; Elissa, Haley, Nicole, Ruby and Sierra for their fine shooting and maintaining outstanding scores throughout their High School Season. It’s quite an honor to be recognized by the WestPAC organization. We are proud to have these young women on our Jerome Jr. Rifle Team.

The frigid weather conditions in February didn’t hamper the 50 Small-bore shooters and the 65 Air Rifle shooters from driving to Somerset County, from all over Pennsylvania, to compete in the 2020-2021 PENNSYLVANIA JUNIOR OLYMPIC STATE SMALLBORE & AIR RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIPS (JORC) held at the Jerome Sportsmen’s Indoor Range.

The Jerome Scoring Staff is pleased to report the Official Scores from the “Men’s Events” in both the Small-bore – 22 Caliber and the Air Rifle -177. Caliber events. Below are the “Top Three” in each.

The “Top Three” marksmen in the Men’s Smallbore Division are, in order, Griffin Lake, Hayden Bell and Joshua Potts. These three young men dominated their division, among 59 other shooters, and they also show up in the “Top Three” of the Air Rifle Division.

In First Place is “Top Shot”, Griffin Lake of Emmaus, PA. Griffin is a member of the Ontelaunee Jr. Rifle Team and he shot a high of 574-20 with his Walther 22. caliber target rifle. He’s (above) collecting his thoughts during the prone position phase of competition.

Griffin (on left) is shooting in the kneeling position next to his team-mate, Jackson Wall, during the small-bore rifle segment of the competition.

Hayden Bell came in Second Place with his score of 570-21 and he is from Kennerdell, PA. Hayden is a member of the Oil City Rifle Club.     Hayden is shooting prone in the photo below.

We are often asked if scopes are used on the target rifles? No, the spotting scopes are for checking each shot by the marksmen. Hayden Bell, above,  has his scope positioned closely, in some photos the scope may appear to be attached to the rifle.  All competitors are using open sights, aka, peep sights.

Joshua Potts rounded out the “Top Three” for a Third Place finish with his score of 564-13. Josh is from Ephrata, PA.  Josh is standing at center of photo and he is a member of the Palmyra Sportsmen Assoc. Josh is on the left in the photo below.

In the JORC Air Rifle Division, the same three marksmen came in on top, but in different order.

Joshua Potts came in First Place in the Air Rifle Division with a score of 586-30. Second Place went to Hayden Bell with a score of 579-29 and in Third Place was Griffin Lake with a score of 574-26. Congratulations to these “TOP THREE” competitors for their strong finish in the Jerome Jr. Olympic Rifle Championships.

Where’s Bruno?  Before departing the Jerome Range, the Palmyra Rifle Club took the time to pose for a ‘Team Group” shot. Our Jerome Team Mascot, Bruno, had to get in the photo to distract some of the Palmyra team members. He’s gotta be in pictures.

 

The Jerome Jr. Rifle Team wants to thank all the competitors, coaches, parents and spectators who attended the our 2020-2021 PENNSYLVANIA JUNIOR OLYMPIC STATE SMALLBORE & AIR RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIPS (JORC). You all contributed in making this event a total success for our Jerome Sportsmen’s Club and our Jerome Jr. Rifle Team.

It was a daunting task for our group, at the Jerome Sportsmen’s Club, to be the “Host Site” for this statewide competition and we are pleased to finally report the first of the Official Scores from the “Women’s Events”.

In the “Women’s Smallbore Division” competitors use 22. caliber rifles, firing Long Rifle ammunition. The First Place finish was nailed down by Genna Sowers of Dallastown, PA. Genna shot a high score of 571-20 to secure her top spot. Genna shoots for the Seitzland Sting Rifle Club and is a Junior in High School.

Most all competitors shot in both the 22.Caliber long Rifle and the 177.Caliber Air Rifle relays, so some photos of the “Winners” may include their rifle from the other division.

Our own Jerome Team member, Elissa Barron, shot a very fine score of 563-26 to come in at Second Place in the Junior Olympic program. Elissa lives in Hooversville, PA and is also a “Top Shot” on her North Star High School Rifle Team.

The Third Place goes to Emma Rhode, an experienced marksman from Kempton, PA, where she is a member of the Ontelaunee Jr. Rifle Team. Emma fired a 562-19, but did even better in the Air Rifle Division.

There were a total of 59 shooters in the Smallbore Division and 65 shooters in the Air Rifle Division. This level of statewide competition is very intense as these students are focused on getting that highly-prized invitation to compete in Colorado at the Olympic Center this summer.

In the “Women’s Air Rifle Division”, a familiar name came up again. Emma Rhode locked down the First Place spot with her score of 582-34.

 

Emma is from Kempton, PA and is a member of the Ontelaunee Jr Rifle Team.

In Second Place, Lily Cicatella, from Franklin, PA shot a score of 578-30. Lily is a member of the Oil City Jr. Rifle Club.

Emily Marne, from MT. Pleasant, PA shot a score of 575-26 for a Third Place finish. Emily is a member of the Mt. Pleasant Area Shooting Academy.

Scoring was an important and precise activity at the JORC and Mike Knapp, Craig Sprock, and Steph Boring were at the Orion scoring system, non-stop, through out the matches. When all shooting was completed scores were sent to USA Shooting for confirmation and ranking.

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 this spring. Watch for the “Men’s Smallbore and Air Rifle Scores” coming soon.

 

The Jerome Jr. Rifle Team has three “TOP SHOTS” (from the North Star High School Team) on our Jerome Jr. Team.  Nicole Rininger, Elissa Barron, and Zach Tedrow. They are all N.S. team mates and have recently completed a successful H.S. year. Nicole broke a N.S. School Rifle Record and she also took Second Place in the individual rankings for the 22. cal. PA Smallbore Championships. Nicole was in a virtual tie for First Place  in the PA Smallbore event with Lily Cicatella of Franklin. Nicole shot a 572-18x and Lily just edged her out with a 572-20x score.  Elissa and Zach helped their Air Rifle Team to a Second Place finish in the PA State Championships in Everett,PA on March 5th. Elissa was ranked in Fourth Place in the individual Air Rifle Division. That score was out of a field of 38 of the best rifle shots in the State. It’s great to have these sharp-shooters on our Jerome Jr. Rifle Team!  Best of Luck with the up-coming .Jerome Jr. Rifle Season

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.