Swearingen and Others Fire Record Scores During 2013 National Trophy Individual Match

CAMP PERRY, OH – The National Trophy Individual (NTI) Rifle Match was fired on the Rodriquez and Viale ranges on Tuesday, July 30 by a group of over 1,000 hopeful shooters. The sun finally showed itself through the clouds, bringing the heat and making the day seem more like the Ohio summer days with which match goers are more familiar.

The National Trophy Individual Match is one of the most prestigious events during the CMP National Matches. Having first been fired in 1904, the NTI has hosted over 100 years of talented shooters.

The NTI was first fired in 1904 and has grown to become one of the most prestigious National Trophy events. Shooters are given the opportunity to earn their EIC points during the competition. There are a multitude of trophy opportunities involved with the match – individually awarded for military, civilian, age and gender associations.

A group of over 1,000 shooters packed the Rodriguez and Viale ranges at Camp Perry with their gear and hopes as they waited for their turn on the firing line.

Winning his name on the coveted Daniel Boone Trophy for his overall win was SSgt. Eric Swearingen, USMCR, 30, of El Cajon, CA, with an outstanding score of 497-28x. Trailing close behind was PFC Nick Mowrer, USAR, 24, of Ramsay, MT, who fired a 496-19x for second. MSG Robert Mango, USAR, 39, of Kaneohe, HI, claimed the third place spot with his score of 495-20x.

SSgt. Eric Swearingen broke two records and earned his name on the Daniel Boone Trophy, winning overall with a score of 497-28x.

SSgt. Swearingen also earned a place on the Citizen Soldier Trophy for Reserve shooters. Mowrer took second in the Reserve competition, while Mango held third. Swearingen set a new record for the Citizen Soldier Trophy competition, outshooting the previous record of 497-22x fired by MAJ. Jay A. Williams, USAR, in 2001.

“I can’t really think about setting records. I really just go out there and shoot. It’s what I do,” he said, modestly.

During the match, shooters carefully watched the wind as it rapidly changed speed and direction on the unpredictable Camp Perry ranges.

The National Guard Association Trophy, awarded to National Guard competitors, was won by SSG John Coggshall, ARNG, 28, of Middletown, CT, with a score of 493-12x. SSgt. Leigh Jenks III, ANG, 39, of Underhill, VT, who holds the current record for the Trophy for his score of 498-24x in 2011, claimed a second place finish at this year’s event – firing a 487-16x. Third place was captured by MSgt. Edward Altmeyer, ANG, 37, of Moon Twp., PA, with his score of 485-21x.

Justin Utley of Mineola, TX, set a new record and was the Police Rifle Trophy winner. Mr. Dennis Willing, NRA director of competitive shooting division, presented the award. Utley was also the recipient of the Nathan Hale Trophy.

Justin Utley, 28, of Mineola, TX, won first place in the contest for the Police Rifle Trophy, awarded to those competitors who are trained as police officers. Utley fired a 494-21x, setting a new record for the Trophy that was previously set by Mark Heffer in 2001 with his score of 492-21x. MSgt. Atlmeyer received second place, followed closely behind by John Laws III, who fired a 485-11x for third.

Utley also received a place on the Nathan Hale Trophy, awarded to civilian competitors, after scoring first overall in the category. Sara Rozanski, 35, of Toledo, OH, nearly caught Utley when she fired her score of 494-18x, but fell short to earn a respectable second place spot. Ryan Vander Poppen, 41, of Fennville, MI, landed in third place with his score of 493-18x.

Joseph Hendricks Jr, of Wexford, PA, received the Golden Eagle Trophy, awarded to the top junior of the competition. Mr. Dennis Willing, NRA director of competitive shooting division, presented the award.

The Golden Eagle Trophy, awarded to the top junior competitions, was won by Joseph Hendricks Jr., 17, of Wexford, PA, with his score of 488-17x. Nearly catching Hendricks Jr.'s lead was Isaac Dow, 19, of Grand Junction, CO, who fired a 488-15x for second place, followed by Mary London, 19, of Statesville, NC, with her score of 486-9x for third.

PFC Nick Mowrer of Ramsay, MT, while earning a few second place finishes in the match, won the Association of the U.S. Army Trophy. The award was presented by Colonel Greg Kitchens of the United States Marine Corps (right).

PFC Mowrer finally earned himself a first place finish with the Association of the U.S. Army Trophy, awarded to the overall Active, Reserve or National Guard Army competitor. MSG Mango took the second place spot, while SSG Brandon Green, 28, of Box Springs, GA, claimed third with his score of 493-21x.

SSgt. Swearingen once again claimed the overall spot, capturing first in the Coast Artillery Trophy competition for Active or Reserve U.S. Marine Corps competitors. Swearingen also set a new record for the Trophy, previously set by SSgt. Jason Benedict in 2007 with his score of 497-22x. MSgt. Julia Watson, 37, of Provo, UT, earned a second place position with her score of 495-14x, while Sgt. Jimmie Long, USMC, 27, of Quantico, VA, fired a 493-17x for third.

Sgt. Jimmie Long of Quantico, VA, shot an impressive 200-8x in the prone SF position from 600 yards during the match.

Sgt. Long shot an impressive 200-8x in the NTI Prone SF position from 600 yards. The competitors around him shook his hand and congratulated him on his fantastic performance.

“I’m usually pretty good on my stomach,” he said. “I’m pretty happy with that score. I wish I would’ve done better on my feet! But I’ve had a good week.”

In the Lt. Paul J. Roberts Memorial Trophy, awarded to Active, Reserve or National Guard U.S. Air Force competitors, was overtaken by SSgt. Leigh Jenks. Jenks also currently holds the record for the Trophy after firing a 498-24x in 2011. MSgt. Altmeyer, ANG, took the second place spot, while TSgt. Stuart Mackey, ANG, 39, of West Valley City, UT, took the third place position with his score of 482-10x.

The 25th Infantry Division Trophy, given to Active, Reserve or National Guard Army Infantry competitors, was awarded to MSG Mango. SGT. Augustus Dunfey, 29, USA, of Phenix City, AL, claimed second place with a 493-13x, followed extremely closely behind by SSG. John Coggshall, ARNG, who fired a 493-12x for third.

LCDR Joseph Zerby, USN, 44, of Hughesville, MD, won the overall place in the Capt. Joe Earle Wyatt Trophy competition, given to the top Active or Reserve Navy competitor, after firing a 488-13x. CDR Matt Bartel, 41, USN, of Severna Park, MD, shot a 486-13x for second place, while MIDN Ian Leszczynski, 20, USN, of Grosse Point, MI, claimed third with his score of 475-12x.

David Sullivan of Erie, CO, was the CMP Senior Trophy with his score of 492-20x. Sullivan also set a new record for the award, presented by NRA director of competitive shooting division, Dennis Willing (right).

Winning the CMP Senior Trophy, for those competitors born in 1951 or earlier, was awarded to David Sullivan, 60, of Erie, CO, with his score of 492-20x. Sullivan set a new record after breaking the previous record of 492-15x, set by Ed Mank in 2009. Coming in the second place position was Donald Bauer, 62, of Mendota, IL, with 484-15x, just in front of Richard Kussman, 51, of Forest Hill, MD, who fired a 484-12x for third.

 

MSgt. Julia Watson won the Women’s Rifle Trophy and was also the overall winner of the Individual Service Rifle Aggregate. The aggregate consisted of scores from the President’s, NTI, NTT and Hearst Doubles matches.

The Women’s Rifle Trophy, awarded to the overall civilian or service woman, was earned by MSgt. Watson. Second place top female was Sara Rozanski, with her score of 494-18x, while SGT. Amanda Elsenboss, USA, 24, of Woodbury, CT, fired a 491-24x to claim the third place position.

Starting as a junior at the National Matches, MSgt. Watson has been coming to the Camp Perry ranges for 21 years. During that time, she has won multiple awards and honors, including the many she achieved during CMP Week. But, as she says, it’s never enough.

“As a shooter, you’re never satisfied. Even if you win, you still look back and think about what you could’ve done better. That’s how I felt this week,” she said, with a smile. “I’m happy with how I did, but I know I can still do better.”

For a complete list of results for the National Trophy Individual Rifle Match, go to http://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=match&task=getMatchResultsDetail&MatchId=9827&EventId=2&AwardId=1&mode=Print. Photos can be viewed at http://cmp1.zenfolio.com/p882841768.

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