The Jerome Junior Rifle Team traveled to the Hershey area to participate in the Palmyra Sportsman’s Association Invitational Small-bore and Air Rifle Match on January 4, 2020 in Annville PA.
Teams and individual shooters from High Schools and Colleges, from all over the state, compete at this outstanding facility. About 300 shooters are registered for this well-known winter competition.
The Palmyra Sportsman’s Association facility is a rambling structure complete with indoor rifle, handgun and archery ranges. Outside there are other shooting ranges for 3-D Archery, Trap Shooting, Steel Plate Action Handgun, Sporting Clays and a High Power Rifle range. The Archery Tournament was in progress at the same time.
The group shot above was taken at our Home Range at the Jerome Sportsmen’s Association Indoor Range. Space is limited at away matches for photography team photos like this.
The Small-bore/Air Rifle events are the pathway to the Junior Olympics. Several past members of our Jerome Team have been invited and have participated in Colorado at the Junior Olympic Trials there.
The Jerome Team is made up of high school students from Conemaugh Twp, North Star, Shanksville, Somerset and Windber.
Setting up before the competition begins is all fun and games.
While other members of the Team chat about the event, Nick is all business. This is a mental game and concentration is important.
Each shooter has a laptop to see every shot and their own score.
Out of 42 shooters during the event, our team member’s targets were very competitive and scores ranged into the mid 550’s. Our top shot, Elissa Barron of North Star, earned a First Place in the Air Rifle (J2) Competition with her score of 568. She is above with her Air Rifle.
Jerome team members, Nick Mader, Ruby Korenoski and Gillian Berloffe on the Air Rifle range. Ruby Korenoski of Conemaugh Twp earned a second place in the Small-bore 22 Rifle (J2) Competition with her score of 556.
Coach Rininger explains the electronic scoring system to Gillian and Ruby. Spectators could log into the system and watch the scores advance in real-time. No need for paper targets here. See below.
Coach Barry Rininger was very please with the overall team performance at this event. Rininger notes that even the best shooters have to contend with the pressures of shooting in a new facility, with electronic targets and against College level competitors.
Coach Rininger added, “All these elements can affect a shooters comfort level and they have to work hard to keep their composure throughout these matches. They did a fine job and our kids are always improving their individual scores.” It looks easy, but don’t bet on out shooting these kids. This takes sharp eyes and a steady hand.
Vicki Berloffe took a few group shots of some of the team. Below are more photos fro the Palmyra Invitational Small-bore Event.
The Jerome Team Finally got their Individual Back Tags delivered thanks to Scott and Angel Mader. They took the half-done materials to Acorn Tree embroidery in Hooversville and Donna got them done just in time for this match. The Jerome team recommends Acorn Tree! Sienna quickly put her new Team Logo and name tag on.
Mike and Abby Knapp were happy to attend this competition.
