I want to start by introducing you to the 2025 ALL-AMERICAN team members from Illinois. They are as follows:
OPEN 2nd Team -- Garrett Helms; LADY 1 2nd Team -- Lauren Dunn; LADY 2 2nd Team -- Janice Rigler; SUB JUNIOR 1st Team -- Noah Goeddel; SUB JUNIOR 2nd Team -- Coltyn Schutte; JUNIOR GOLD 1st Team Captain -- Ian Lawrence; JUNIOR GOLD 2nd Team - Steve Margherio; VETERAN 1st Team -- Mike Hathaway, Dan Staker, Brian Hezel; VETERAN 2nd Team -- Ron Fearheiley; SENIOR VET 1st Team -- Mike Westjohn, Frank Payne, Mike Dennis; CHAIR SHOOTER -- Larry Norton
Congratulations to all of you.
Over the weekend of September 13 and 14 the Illinois Northern Zone Shoot was held at St. Charles Sportsman's Club. The weather was hot and so were the scores and when the dust settled we had some worthy winners. In Singles, Conrad Davis won the In-Zone Championship and Doug Valerio won Out of Zone. In Doubles, Joe Bohannon won In-Zone and Anthony Fortino won Out of Zone. In Handicap, Conrad Davis won In-Zone and Anthony Fortino won Out of Zone. Finally, in HAA, Wyatt Baine won In-Zone and Anthony Fortino won Out of Zone. Congratulation to all the winners.
I have some milestones that Illinois shooters have reached. At the 25,000 plateau, Chester Tripp reached it in Singles and Danny White and Stanley Crow reached it in Handicap. At the 50,000 plateau, John Upcraft reached it in Singles and Larry Murphy reached it in Handicap. Finally, Mack Webb reached 100,000 combined targets. Congratulations everyone.
Mike Dennis and Mike Westjohn both shot over 20,000 registered targets this past shooting year. My god that's a lot of targets. Way to go both of you.
Sadly, I recently learned we have lost another Illinois shooter. Larry White passed a few weeks ago. Larry was another lynch pin shooter who was a good man and a good shot. You looked forward to seeing him every time you went to the club. I hate it when we lose men like this. Rest well Larry.
I will have the 2025 All-State team in next month's column.
Shoot well and support your local club.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate