2015 RI NRA Regional and Epstein Trophy Match
by Hap Rocketto
In collaboration with the National Rifle Association, and the International Olympic Committee, the Rhode Island Revolver and Rifle Association sponsored the 2015 NRA Rhode Island Three Position Regional and RIRRA’s State Championship, along with a concurrent Olympic Day celebration, hosted by the South County Rod and Gun on June 7, 2014.
Nineteen competitors spread their shooting mats on South County’s 50 meter range and proceeded to hammer 120 record shots down range vying for bragging rights, gold, silver, and bronze NRA medallions, and National Championship vouchers.
The course of fire is the same as shot at the Olympic and so the tie in with annual Olympic Day celebrations, held in 160 countries, to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games
Winner of the RIRRA’s indoor state championship Jeff Doerschler came out of the gate at top speed shooting a pair of 198X200s for a match winning score of 396-30X. Not particularly impressed by Doerschler’s performance Alex Muzzioli, of the Newport Rifle Club, kept pace with a pair of 197s for a second place prone finish of 394-17. Katie Gorlo, who shoots for the Stratford Connecticut Police Athletic League, pulled into third place with a score of 392.
Forty shots standing followed a Doerschler put his stamp on the match with his second win in as many matches jumping to a 16 point lead over young Muzzioli on the basis of his 364-7X performance. Muzzioli mustered a 350-5X, but was fourth overall after Abby Monique’s 355 and Ruby Gomes’ 351.
Going in to the final match Doerschler was in the driver’s seat and the match was his to lose. The bigger contest was unfolding for the silver and bronze medals between Muzzioli, Gomes, and Monique who were just a few points apart at 744, and a pair of 738s.
Things began to shape up after the first card kneeling. Doerschler shot a 192 to further solidify his lead. Monique made a play for the lead by posting a 185. Gomes put up a 183 and Muzzioli trailed her by a point. With the final 20 shots left Muzzioli held a two point edge for silver over Monique while Gomes was behind by four.
Gomes lunged to the finish topping her closest rivals with a 183. Her effort leapfrogged her over Monique’s but failed to gain on Muzzioli. The reigning RIRRA’s junior champ held on to retain his title and pick up the silver by two points over bronze medalist Gomes. Monique’s last match efforts fell just short proving the old shooter’s aphorism that you win them standing and loose them prone. While she beat Gomes standing she lost to her prone, points she could not make up kneeling. In the end she was fourth overall and took home the Marksman class medal.
The aggregate medals went to Doerschler, 1150-54X, Muzzioli, 1109-29X, and Gomes, 1107-26X. New Hampshire’s Bob Lynn was high Master. Ernie Mellor who shoots for the Magnums based at the Quaker Hill Rod and Gun Club topped the Experts while Rick Miller, just back from a bravura performance at the Junior Olympic Rifle Championships was top Sharpshooter.
A day after American Pharoah galloped to a seven length lead in the Belmont Stakes to become the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown of Racing, and the first in 37 years, Doerschler captured the second leg on the Triple Crown of Rhode Island Smallbore. With both the indoor and outdoor three position championships under his belt his last challenge will be the RIRRA’s NRA Regional/RIRRA Prone Championship to be held at Smithfield in two weeks.
Piggy backed on this Regional was the chase for the Epstein Trophy emblematic of the RIRRA’s Three Position Championship. Muzzioli easily retained his junior title while Joe Graf, who had been sidetracked for nearly a year and a half, used iron sights to take home senior honors.
The competitors were most grateful to the South County Rod and Gun Club for hosting the event and to Nicole Panko, Statistical Officer, and Dick O’Rourke who provided logistical support.
2015-ri-3p-regional (PDF, 53KB)
