Graf and Britt Dominate Rhode Island Shoot
By Digby Hand
Joe Graf and Emily Britt are the reigning champions of the combined 2012 Rhode Island State Three Position Championship and NRA Metric Position Regional. They were joined by smallbore competitors from four of the six New England states at the South County Rod and Gun Club in West Greenwich, RI.
The day began with the prone match which was shot in bright sunshine and shifting winds, which were difficult to read in the clear dry air. It was a close fought match with Hap Rocketto, of Quaker Hill Rod and Gun Club, edging out Joe Graf, of the Smithfield Sportsmen’s Club, by a point. Graf lead by three points after the first card but Rocketto held hard on the second 20 shots making up the difference and adding a point to finish with a 388-15X to Graf’s 387-15X. New Hampshire’s Bob Lynn’s 387-11X took the third spot.
Britt, a junior representing the Niantic, CT Sportsmen’s Club, elected to shoot the match with a scope. She posted a 369-11X in a standing match marked by buffeting winds to overcome a mediocre prone and leap into the lead. Robert Roland shot a 339-4X for second just an X ahead of third place Ernie Mellor of Quaker Hill.
Britt’s commanding lead would require a near perfect score Kneeling from her closest challengers and a total collapse on her part to deny her the gold medallion. It rained on the second kneeling relay on which Britt was squadded but that did little to slow up her up. Joe Graf won the kneeling match with a 374-12X but Britt was second with a 373-9X and that wrapped up her win. Mellor was third with a 367-10X.
Britt was the Regional winner with an 1123-32X, Alex Martin, from Swanzey, N.H. shoots for the Ferrybrook Junior Rifle Team for Cheshire County Fish and Game and will be a freshman rifleman at North Carolina State in the fall, won the silver with a 1106-27X. Mellor took the bronze. Rocketto was high Master, Lynn the top Expert, Danielle Makucevich, of Newport Rifle Club took Sharpshooter honors, and Newport Rifle Club’s Alex Muzzioli was top Marksman.
Graf earned the Rhode Island Open title and the junior champion is Danielle Makucevich of the Newport Rifle Club. Each will have their name engraved upon the Jules Epstein Trophy in recognition of their feat.
Nicole Panko handed the statistical office with the assistance of Ken Robichaud. Mark Sloan served as Range Officer while South County’s Dick O’Rourke and Joe Galligan handled the targets.
Complete results can be downloaded here: ri-2012-outdoor-3P-regional (PDF, 38KB)
Great job run by the RI team. The rain held off just enough to get it all in.
Photos of Emily Britt and Alex Martin. Congrats to both for your awards.