CAMP PERRY, OHIO – The Hellgate Civilian Shooters competed in National 3P Air Rifle Championships in Camp Perry, Ohio June 25-26. While they were not able to top their third place from last year, Head Coach Trace Weisenburger was pleased with the individual shooters’ performance.
Hellgate Gold was the only team from Montana to compete at the National Championships this year. The four-person team included Seeley Lake’s Ibby Lorentz and Sam Weisenburger, Jonna Warnken from Superior, Mont., and Missoula’s Libby Diller and alternate Jack Seibly of Frenchtown, Mont. Everyone except Warnken shot around their average each day.
“If you can shoot your average at the National Championships, you are doing pretty good because you are dealing with all the mental stuff that comes your way,” said Coach Weisenburger.
Lorentz led the team earning 585 points Day 1 at the USA Championships. This placed her 47th of 285 individuals. Warnken came in second for the Hellgate Gold team shooting a 579 placing her 97th. Weisenburger came in next for Hellgate Gold shooting a 577 placing him 115th. Diller was close behind shooting a 574 earning 144th place.
Hellgate Gold placed 16th of 55 teams on the first day for the USA Championships.
Day 2 for the Civilian Marksmanship Program Championships, Lorentz, Diller and Weisenburger all increased their scores. Lorentz added three more points to her score bringing her up to 34th for the CMP match. Diller added five points to her score and bumped ahead of Weisenburger who also shot a 579. They placed 118th and 119th.
Warnken struggled Day 2 dropping to 245th place after shooting a 559, more than 30 points below her average.
“Nothing happened mechanically, it all happened mentally,” said Coach Weisenburger. He added that Warnken had just returned from a couple different championships and was shooting twice a day which burned her out. It was a lesson in the “the power of the break,” stepping away for a while and then after returning the scores naturally go up.
Hellgate Gold placed 26th of 55 teams in the CMP Championships.
Lorentz said it was a hard push at Nationals this year because they had been practicing for 10 months.
“We were pretty tired but I think we did well overall. We trained hard at the end and got in there, worked hard and left it all out there,” said Lorentz.
“Last year was an exceptional year and we took third. This year just didn’t come together for us,” said Coach Weisenburger.
Coach Chris Lorentz added, “The kids worked hard but we were just a little off. At Nationals, there is no room for having a bad day.”
Coach Lorentz appreciates all of the support from the community including the Wilderness Sportsman’s Club, everyone who purchased raffle tickets and those that encourage the shooters when they see them.
“That helps keep the motivation because training does get a little boring,” said Coach Lorentz.
Allen Zeiler of Florence, Mont. won the raffle for the Ruger American Rifle with a Nikon Scope. The raffle raised a little more than $3,000 that will be used towards team travel.
The Hellgate Civilian Shooters will start practicing the end of September. Anyone interested in learning more or joining the team is encouraged to call Coach Weisenburger at 210-1433.
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