This past weekend Newfoundland and Labrador sent seven senior and junior shooters to the Canadian Air Gun Grand Prix, an international event held every February in Toronto. This year 165 shooters from Canada, Great Britain and the United States took part.

In the senior men�s rifle events Ben Taylor won the gold medal for sharpshooter class with an 1111 / 1200 and Jason Harnum shot 1047 to take the bronze in the same class. Dave Woolridge was seventh in the master class, shooting a two day score of 1120. In senior pistol, Richard Power of St. Catherine�s SMB took the bronze medal in the marksman class by shooting 988 / 1200. Finally in the senior women�s rifle event Brenda Greene shot 761 / 400 to capture the silver in the expert class.

Currently residing in Ontario, Mark Hynes shot 1123 / 1200, putting him in second in the master class for men�s pistol. After the finals and a double shoot out to resolve a tie Mark placed 5^th overall. Mark was a former provincial Canada Winter Games shooting athlete.

Our junior women both shot as sub junior (under 14). Samantha Marsh fired 750 / 400 for the silver medal. Teammate Meghan Harris shot 575 placing 6^th.

Coach Gary Piercey noted that all the team had done well with five shooting personal bests. Athlete and co coach Dave Woolridge said of this contingent, "We are very pleased with their dedication to training and these results show the fruits of their effort." Brenda Greene equaled her provincial record. Ben Taylor has now been reclassified as an expert with the Shooting Federation of Canada. Of our junior shooters preparing for the 2011 Canada Winter Games, several have exceeded performance expectations for the next year in their training plan. Finally, Richard Power has qualified for the 2010 junior air pistol team.

- 30 -

Media contact: