Above: (l. to r.) Frank Garbouchian, Nicole Panko, Lenny Remaly, match winner Joe Graf (with National Record targets), Steve Rocketto, Hap Rocketto, Shawn Carpenter and Bob Lynn.
It was, as one seasoned competitor remarked, “1600 weather” at the Southern New England NRA Conventional Prone Regional. A near perfect day for shooting: overcast, cool, an occasional slight drizzle, and virtually windless conditions greeted smallbore rifle competitors at the Smithfield Sportsman’s Club on June 23.
A scant four weeks after coming tantalizingly close to tying the National Record for the Conventional Prone One Day course of fire at the New Hampshire NRA State Championship, Joe Graf dropped a point on his first card of the last match. Nevertheless, he took full advantage of the situation. Opening with a 200-20X iron sights at 50 yards, Graf never let up and turned in a final score of 1600-136X; giving him the match and upping the National Record for a single day Regional by nine Xs.
Graf, well on his way to the victory, took both ends of the day by winning the Yard, Dewar, and 100-yard matches with scores of 400-38X, 400-28X, and a 400-35X. Frank Garbouchian shortstopped a sweep by Graf by winning the Dewar match with a 400-36X to Graf’s clean with 35Xs.
Master Class winners were Shawn Carpenter in the Yard match, Graf in the Dewar, and Bob Lynn at 100 yards.
Mike Jerome won the first two matches in the Expert class, while Phil Kohanski and Steve Roby won the Meter and 100-yard events, respectively.
Combined class winners were Devin Harris in the Yard match while Kaley Pasko won remainder of the matches.
The Regional gold medal was won by Graf’s record setting performance. Silver went to Garbouchian with a 1596-117X. Junior Mike Jerome, who shot irons the whole way, took home the bronze medal with a 1596-110X. Hap Rocketto, scoring 1595-116X, nailed down Master class. Expert Steve Rocketto shot a 1595-116X to win his class. Pasko, a junior shooter, wrapped up the combined class with a 1588-95X.
Statistical Officer Nicole Panko did her usual efficient and accurate scoring while Range Officers Justin Jerome and Tom Pasko kept the match moving at a sharp pace.
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