I want to introduce you to the 2025 Illinois All-State team: OPEN: Anthony Fortino 94.4; Randy Miller 93.38; Kent Kruse 92.8; Aaron Kortte 92.54; Tim Lewis 91.99; Nathan Simpson 91.91; Jeremiah Schultz 91.5; Joseph Terzo 91.23; William Christensen 90.8; Kevin White 90.7. SUB VETERAN: Brian Cox 93.4; Brad Bomkamp 91.68; Ken Mitchell 91.3; Mark Fielder 91.07; Rodney Johnson 90.8. VETERAN: Brian Hezel 93.48; Dan Staker 93.17; Mike Hathaway 92.9; Matt Nicol 92.14; Harvey Schultz 91.91. SENIOR VETERAN: Mike Westjohn 93.63; Frank Payne 92.88; Mike Dennis 92.06; Ron Wolf 92.05; Mack Webb 91. LADY 1: Lauren Dunn 93.17; Erin Federle 90.01; Brooke Weidner 89.123; Sierra Sparenberg 89.12; Grace Hahn 88.15. LADY 2: Janice Rigler 89.05; Joan Maiden 85.69; Brenda Dennis 81.99; Sue Staker 81.88; Connie Martin 78.4. JUNIOR GOLD: Wyatt Williams 96.72; Steve Margherio 95.92; Landon Sievers 94.86; Jaxon Wilson 92.4; Ryan Lewis 91.74. JUNIOR: Mason Bartlow 96.18; Carson Sievers 93.9; Payton Wottowa 91.84; Aidan Ireland 89.97; Carter White 89.8. SUB JUNIOR: Noah Goeddel 94.26; Myles Arrowsmith 92.82; Linden Rynders 91.51; Colton Schutte 91.09; Adelynn Wottowa 89.38; CHAIR: Larry Norton 87.96. Congratulations to all these men and women on this accomplishment.
I was happy to see that Downers Grove Sportsman's Club celebrated its 75-year anniversary this summer. Downers is a jewel of a club where you can shoot anything related to the shotgun shooting sports. What makes this club special, however, are the people there. They are friendly, helpful and thoughtful when you show up. I have been there many times and never felt like a stranger. Quite the contrary, I felt like I was everyone's best friend. If you find yourself in northeastern Illinois, stop in at Downers, you will not regret it.
On October 11 the ISTA Board of Directors met and elected 2 new members to the Hall of Fame. Janice Rigler and Mike Dennis will both be inducted into the HOF on Tuesday of the Illinois State shoot. Exceptional shots and exceptional people. It always makes me happy to see good people get what they deserve. Congratulations to both of you.
About a month ago I received a phone call from Riley Kaufman asking me to come up to Auburn, Illinois and recertify the Edgewood Gun Club to throw registered birds. Edgewood years ago had a very active registered program, and I shot there many times. Sadly, over the years, the club went through a bunch of bad managers who ran the club down and left it for dead. I drove up there not knowing what to expect and was completely blown away by what I found. Riley and his dad, Jeff, completely redid the 4 trap fields. They have new concrete, lights, trap houses and trap machines. The club house has been expanded and modernized and is a very comfortable place to hang out and visit. In short, this is a first-rate shooting facility now. But the thing that really stuck out for me was the atmosphere of the place. Everyone was happy, everyone was smiling, it was a place where you wanted to be. You need to check out Edgewood. You will not be disappointed. Their hours of operation are Monday and Wednesday 10am to 7pm. S
Bill Duncan,ATA Delegate