The dust has settled at Area 5 and everyone has headed home. This is my first time shooting Area 5 and shooting in the area of Polo, Illinois. I must say, it’s amazingly beautiful country and a great shooting range! The match schedule spanned over Friday, Saturday and Sunday with squads electing to shoot a 2-day half-day schedule or one full-day schedule.
Fortunately, we chose the Saturday morning/Sunday morning schedule and had the luck to shoot with a great group of guys. With the complexity and length of these stages, I would not have wanted to shoot them all in one day. Although, plenty did!
Those of us who chose the Saturday morning schedule found ourselves shooting the first 3 stages in the rain. The weather held off until Sunday morning again where we shot a few more of the stages in a steady drizzle, with the last shooter finishing 5 minutes before the downpour! Now we have the answer to our question…..why weren’t there any visible irrigation methods for the thousands of acres of crops we saw in the area!
The Area 5 stages were some of the best stages I have ever seen in a match. Every single stage had its challenge. They were well thought out and allowed the shooter to make several decisions on stage sequencing and target acquisition. We were presented with multiple swingers at times, very fast max traps, drop turners, a gravity swinger, Mozambique paper and steel setups, and a rack of triple swingers.
I personally found Stage 8 with its hidden plates, difficult paper shots and the bear trap that activated a max trap and swinger the most difficult, especially when the targets were bagged. But, I’m sure plenty of other competitors dealt with the same difficulty on a few of the other stages.
Most targets had either hard cover or no-shoots on them with more than a fair share of poppers and plates, which made it an aiming match. Aiming, thinking and lots of movement….all solid components of a good match that I believe truly test the ability of the shooter. I would say awesome course design and kudos to Jim Thompson, Dale Hayen, Ray Hirst and the Tri-County Gun Club. With this crew running Area 5 next year, we would definitely consider attending again.
Congratulations to all of the High Lady Champions:
Sarah Irish – Open
Jennifer VanZieleghem – Limited
Lori Casper – L-10
Sue Irish – Revolver
Carrie Carlson – Production
TD Roe – Single Stack
Sarah and I battled it out right to the end for High Open Lady, both having a rough start on the first day, plagued with penalty points. Shooting some of those stages in good weather would have been difficult at best, and to shoot them in the rain was more challenging than ever!
At the end, Sarah came out on top by 0.74 match points to take the win for Area 5 High Open Lady. She shot a fantastic second day, kept her head straight and pulled through the challenges of the first day. This is commendable to see in any shooter, but a junior shooter as well is even more impressive. Nicely done Sarah and again CONGRATULATIONS!
Thanks to the RO’s at the match who kept long stages running on time with minimal if any waiting time. They did a fantastic job! Thanks also to Jim Thompson for his hospitality and his energy in running a great match. Thanks to Joe Procopio, too. He hand delivered our Tech-wear shirts for us to have for the match. Thanks to Scott Carnahan and Safariland for their new ELS system, and thanks to my husband, Russell, for the support he offers both on and off the range.
Editor’s Note – Thank you, Eva, for taking the time to create the blog and for all of the great photos as well! Sounds like you and Sarah had a good back-and-forth going, unknowingly from different squads. Sorry to hear about the rain … looks like you all hung tough, regardless!
It was really nice to see women competing in all of the Divisions, too! Congrats to all of you and thanks for representing!
We’re moving on with coverage of the second of the 2009 Back to Back USPSA National Matches, with interviews from the Top 3 Women in Revolver Division…
3rd Place – Echo Hester
WoUSPSA – Congratulations on your 3rd-place finish, Echo! How many Nationals have you competed in?
Echo – Just two.
WoUSPSA – Annette Aysen told us you shoot primarily for fun. How often are you able to practice throughout the year?
Echo – I only practice at local matches.
WoUSPSA – Going into the Nationals, what was your strategy for the match?
Echo – Look cute, shoot straight and don’t DQ!
WoUSPSA – I like that strategy! Can you describe your performance on Day 1 for us?
Echo – The Maryland Bullshooters wore their Green Shirts. Attitude was positive and the stages were simple, fun, and challenging.
WoUSPSA – How about Day 2?
Echo – The Maryland Bullshooters wore their Red Shirts. The exercise received walking from stage to stage was not bad in the morning. Stages were again simple, but challenging.
WoUSPSA – And how did the last day go for the Maryland Bullshooters?
Echo – The Maryland Bullshooters wore their Red & White Shirts. Looking good, shooting straight and staying out the ricochet line of fire.
WoUSPSA – Sounds like you shoot with a great bunch! Describe your best stage, and why you think you did well.
Echo – Stage One was my favorite, it represented shooting in the desert, well decorated, great ROs. It’s just a shame someone screwed it up for all of us.
WoUSPSA – Which stage was your most difficult, and why it was difficult?
Echo – Stage 9. I did not like the ROs and I choose not to shoot the stage.
WoUSPSA – We’re so sorry to hear that, Echo. What did you think about the rest of the stages?
Echo – They were great Revolver Stages.
WoUSPSA – Would you like to say anything else before we go?
Echo – I think most of the Revolver Shooters are the best of the bunch. They are all friendly and not at all cut throat.
WoUSPSA – Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us. Congratulations again on your USPSA Nationals finish, Echo!
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2nd Place – Sue Irish
2009 USPSA Area-5, 6 and 8 Revolver Champion
WoUSPSA – Congratulations on your 2nd-place finish! How many Nationals have you competed in?
Sue – Thank you. This year’s Nationals match was my first.
WoUSPSA – We welcome you and certainly hope you enjoyed it! Now, you won a few USPSA Area matches this year. Were the Area matches a part of the Nationals “preparation plan”?
Sue – No. The Area matches were for fun, like all of my matches.
WoUSPSA – We know you have a job that keeps you very busy (TechWear, USA). How often are you able to practice throughout the year?
Sue – I guess you could say I shoot matches as practice. I don’t have a practice or dryfire regimen.
WoUSPSA – Going into the Nationals, what was your strategy for the match?
Sue – To do the best I could do and have a good time doing it; really no particular strategy.
WoUSPSA – Can you please describe your performance on Day 1?
Sue – Day 1 was pretty much an average day. I was satisfied with how I did on at least half of the stages that day.
WoUSPSA – How did the second day go for you?
Sue – Day 2 was a struggle. I had to pull myself up after a tragic time on “the star”.
WoUSPSA – That’s unfortunate, Sue. More than a few of us had trouble with that spinning star. Was your final day of the match better?
Sue – Yes. Day 3 was by far the most enjoyable and also the day I was most satisfied with my performance.
WoUSPSA – That’s great that you came back! Can you describe your best stage, and why you think you did well?
Sue – Stage 5 “Which Way” was my best stage and I think I did well on it because I was able to keep to my plan.
WoUSPSA – Which was your most difficult stage, and why was it hard for you?
Sue – Most definitely Stage 7, “Spinnin’ Star”, was my most difficult. I saw I had shot a no-shoot at the start, so I had to do a reload to make that up (not a problem with anything but a revolver on this stage). All the reloads had to come off the shelf, so that messed me up right from the start. Then I went to the star and just couldn’t get my timing down. It took a lifetime to clear that star, but I wouldn’t give up on it.
WoUSPSA – Good for you! : ) Is this a good time to ask what you thought about the stages?
Sue – For the most part, the stages were enjoyable. I think I would have liked a higher round count.
WoUSPSA – Do you have any comments that you would like to finish with?
Sue – As a revolver shooter, you just can’t beat being on a squad with lots of other revolver shooters!
WoUSPSA – Great ending thought! Thanks for taking the time to be with us, Sue. Congratulations once again on your 2nd place finish!
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USPSA Ladies Revolver National Champion – Annette Aysen
3-Time USPSA National Revolver Champion, 2009 IRC Champion, 2009 USPSA Area-2 Revolver Champion
WoUSPSA – Now that you have had some time to take it all in, how does it feel to have won your 3rd USPSA Nationals?
Annette – It is such a great feeling of accomplishment at this point in my life. If someone, even if it was ten years ago, would have said to me that I would attend a match on the National level, I would have had to argue the point.
WoUSPSA – Going into the Nationals, what was your strategy for the match?
Annette – At this match, I planned to shoot at my level and speed at which I could achieve the best score (especially with all of the no shoots that were used, as you well know). That is usually how I can place in the upper half of the finishing.
WoUSPSA – Did you know you were in position to win going into the last day / stage? If so, how did this affect you?
Annette – No, not really. There are not many lady revolver competitors that I’ve seen shooting USPSA matches. My goal is usually to place as high as I can against the male competitors.
WoUSPSA – Can you describe your performance on Day 1?
Annette – Yes. Like any other match, I play it safe on the first few stages. I don’t ever want any mikes [misses] or no shoots.
WoUSPSA – And on Day 2?
Annette – I really started to enjoy the match. Maybe just a little too much – two mikes. Silly ones at that. Had some good stages. Shooting 70% or above with this group is great.
WoUSPSA – Finish up your match by telling us about Day 3.
Annette – It was good. I was really paying mind to the job at hand. The star stage was our last one. I took a few extra shots at the star – more than I would have liked.
WoUSPSA - Can you describe your best stage, and why you think you shot it so well?
Annette – My best stage was Stage 9. I shot 78% on that one. It was a good feeling. The lay out of the stage was made for my way of shooting. Reloading between arrays, full targets and, of course, the swinger being there at the right time for me to shoot.
WoUSPSA – How about your most difficult stage. Why was it hard for you?
Annette – Shooting 58% on Stage 3 was my worst in the match. It wasn’t that it was difficult for me. I didn’t go into the stage with the right frame of mind. There were shorter distances between arrays for loading and I was not watching my front sight. My overall total points were low.
WoUSPSA – What did you think about the stage designs in general?
Annette – I enjoyed the stages. In my oppinion, there were too many no shoots. You can still have a competitive match with out all that white.
WoUSPSA – You shoot regularly with Team Smith & Wesson. Do you think you have an advantage being able to train with a team that pushes you to be better?
Annette – Yes, it is an advantage to be a part of such a well trained team. I have always believed to practice with someone equal to or greater than your own ability.
WoUSPSA – What do you admire most about your teammates?
Annette – I would have to say their support. I can go on and on about what the team has done for me.
WoUSPSA – Do you have any comments about the match that you would like to add?
Annette – I would like to try to get more revolver shooters participating in the Nationals. This weekend, I’m attending a revolver IPSC charity match in Memphis. There are going to be over 70 shooters. The Smith & Wesson International Revolver Championship (ICORE) this year had over 200 shooters. This year at the Nationals we had 33 competitors. Why is this? I would welcome the chance to compete against more shooters in the coming year, both man and woman alike!
WoUSPSA – Thank you for your time, Annette. Congratulations once again on your 3rd USPSA National Revolver Title!
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Stay tuned for coverage on the next division, Limited-10!
The USPSA Handgun Nationals for 2009 are complete. The back-to-back events were hosted by the Desert Sportsman’s Rifle & Pistol Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. The second o f the two National Events crowned champions in Limited, Limited 10 and Revolver categories. Congratulations to our new National Champions!
2009 USPSA Limited Champions are:
Jessie Abbate & Ted Puente
2009 USPSA Limited-10 Champions are:
Randi Rogers & Dave Sevigny
2009 USPSA Revolver Champions are:
Annette Aysen & Cliff Walsh
With the USPSA Handgun Nationals just a few days away, we’re recapping the top shooters of the year, based on the previously hosted USPSA Area Matches around the country. Unfortunately, Area 2 & 4 aren’t scheduled until later in 2009, but we still have plenty of Area Champions to put upon our pedestal! Congratulations to all of our Area Winners!
We are also sending well wishes and good luck to each and every woman who is headed to Las Vegas this week for our USPSA Back-To-Back National Championships! And remember, what happens in Vegas … stays in Vegas! (Except for what happens at the range. We’ll proudly be posting updates and results for all categories of each match via Twitter, Facebook, WomenOfUSPSA.com & right here on the blog.)
If you ever get a chance to compete at one of these top-notch Area Matches, by the way, grab it! The experience, effort, creativity and organization that go into these events are practically unmatched!
2009 USPSA Area Match Championship Results – to date:
AREA 1 – Held June 18 through 21 in Parma, Idaho at the Parma Rod & Gun Club. Match Director – Tim Egan
LIMITED – Lisa Munson 1st, Christie King 2nd
LIMITED-10 – Dorrie Davis 1st
OPEN - Jenny Chu 1st, Carrie Homburg 2nd
PRODUCTION – Carrie Jamrogowicz 1st, Irina Ionescu 2nd
SINGLE STACK – Laura Seurer 1st, Nancy Marrs 2nd
AREA 2 – Begins November 12, 2009 at Rio Salado Sportsmans Club in Mesa, Arizona. Match Directors – Paul Caudill & Bob LaMarca
AREA 3 – Held July 30 through August 2 in Omaha, Nebraska. Hosted by the Eastern Nebraska Practical Shooters. Match Director – Chris Davies
LIMITED – Nancy Huspek 1st, Gail McLean 2nd
OPEN - Sue VanBlaricum 1st, Bobbi Wagner 2nd
PRODUCTION – Carrie Jamrogowicz 1st, Lisa Johnson 2nd
AREA 4 – Begins October 8, 2009 at the Double Tap Ranch in Wichita Falls, Texas. Match Director – Ken Cobb
AREA 5 – Held June 19 through 21 at the South Kent Sportsmans Club in Dorr, Michigan. Match Director – Carl Provan
LIMITED – Gail McLean 1st, Susan Powel 2nd
OPEN - Doni Spencer 1st, Sarah Irish 2nd
PRODUCTION – Carrie Carlson 1st
REVOLVER - Sue Irish 1st
SINGLE STACK -TD Roe 1st, Alma Lenard 2nd
AREA 6 – Held April 17 through 19 at the South River Gun Club in Covington, Georgia. Match Director – our very own Cindy Noyes!
LIMITED – Jessie Abbate 1st, Tracy Iradi 2nd
LIMITED-10 – Randi Rogers 1st, Kay Miculek 2nd
OPEN - Megan Francisco 1st, Kaci Cochran 2nd
PRODUCTION – Beth Wingfield 1st, Melita Ellington 2nd
REVOLVER -Sue Irish 1st
SINGLE STACK – Nancy Huspek 1st
AREA 7 – Held August 5 through 9 in Fulton, New York at Pathfinder Fish & Game (which is Julie G’s original home-town range). Match Director – Milford Lovett
LIMITED – Donna Major 1st, Kathie Sierpina 2nd
LIMITED-10 – Caron Brooks 1st, Evelyn Freeman 2nd
OPEN - Rebecca Jones 1st, Sheila Brey 2nd
REVOLVER -Sue Jenks 1st, Jacqueline Scott 2nd
AREA 8 – Held August 27 through 30 at the Fredericksburg Rod & Gun Club in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia. Match Director – Lew Walker
LIMITED – Jessie Abbate 1st, Tracy Iradi 2nd
LIMITED-10 – Caron Brooks 1st
OPEN - Rebecca Jones 1st, Megan Francisco 2nd
PRODUCTION -Randi Rogers 1st, Tori Nonaka 2nd
REVOLVER -Sue Irish 1st
SINGLE STACK – Tracy Deegan 1st
Well, that’s a wrap! We’ll close our Road to the Nationals coverage by congratulating the 2008 USPSA Ladies Handgun National Champions:
- Open National Champion – Rebecca T. Jones
- Limited National Champion – Jessie Abbate
- Limited-10 National Champion – Jessie Abbate
- Single Stack National Champion – Lisa Munson
- Production National Champion – Randi Rogers
- Revolver National Champion – Annette Aysen
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