The Newfoundland and Labrador Shooting Association air gun provincials concluded this weekend with 12 shooters taking part in 15 starts over two days. The turn out for this event, held in the High Performance Marksmanship and CSSA training facility, was high. Athletes competed in the international or Olympic style air pistol and air rifle.

Anthony Smith won the Provincial Champion title for men�s air pistol 517/600. Dave Taylor took gold in Marksman class for the same event with 475.

In the women�s air rifle event Brenda Greene took both the Grand Champion and Junior Champion Title with a 376/400. Junior shooters also took the top spots in the women�s class events. Samantha Marsh took the gold in the Marksman class (316) while team mate Megan Harris captured the gold in the Tyro class (226).

On the men�s side Dave Woolridge has once again secured the title of Grand Champion with a 567/600. Newcomer Ben Taylor was declared both the junior champion and top marksman with a 488. Finally Dave Taylor took the gold in Tyro with 475.

Turn out for the match was strong with a 300 per cent growth in participation rates since the start of the season. Junior competitors made up 60 per cent of the total. Match organizers attribute this to the relatively low costs associated with ammunition, the ease at which someone can learn to shoot air gun and the short duration of the event. Also, this match was a part of the selection process for the 2009 provincial junior shooting team. This time around Ben Taylor earned a spot on the team by maintaining an 80 plus average.

The next air gun match will be in mid June. Also, shooters Greene and Woolridge are leaving to do a pair of Grand Prix�s in Germany and the Czech Republic next week.

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Media contact:
Dave Woolridge
709-778 0405
dave.woolridge@mi.mun.ca