Ocean State Smallbore Shooters At 2015 The National Championships

Ocean State Smallbore Shooters At 2015 The National Championships

by

Martin Lord

 

Rhode Island is a small state and fielded a small team at the National Smallbore Rifle Championships in Bristol Indiana. However, the five Ocean State shooters performed well and brought credit upon themselves and the Association.

Newport juniors Daniele Makucevich and Alex Muzzioli, ably supported during their two week stay in Bristol by Alex's father, each expended about 1,500 rounds of match ammunition as they competed in the metric and conventional position and prone championships.  Michele  Makucevich, Joe Graf, and Hap Rocketto came in a few days after the junior arrived to compete in the two prone events.

Muzzioli, a Master, found himself shooting against the best as he tries to strengthen his resume to impress the coaching staff at the Naval Academy to which he is applying. Expert Makucevich, who will be shooting for the University of Akron in the fall, was tuning up for the coming year. They both posted respectable scores in the mid 2150 area during position and placed in the middle of the pack in team events.

Tough wind on the first day of conventional iron sight prone set all back further than they would have liked, Graf led with an 1188X1200, but everybody rebounded on the second day with Rocketto's 1196X1200 the top Rhode Island score. In the metallic sight aggregate Michele Makucevich outshot the others with a 2382X2400 and earned a spot on the 2015 Randle Team.

During the any sight aggregate Rocketto opened with a near perfect 1199X1200. On day two Michele Makucevich was the Rhode Island stand out shooting an 1198X1200. The fight for bragging rights for the anysight aggregate was tight all three seniors dropping five points, posting 2395s. Graf came out in top with 189Xs to the others who each had 181Xs.

Rhode Island grand aggregate honors went to Michele Makucevich who posted a 4777-337X a point ahead of Graf's 4776-337X.

In team competition the Rhode Island Revolver and Rifle Association/Digby Hand Team placed second in the any sight match and third in the team grand aggregate. 

The last two days were taken up with the Metric Prone championship and winds during the metallic match hobbled the Rhode Island shooters. Graf was tops with an 1146X1200. With any sights Rocketto topped the hometown team shooting an 1174 to pick up second place in the senior category. Graf posted a combined score of 2316X2400 to best his fellow Del and coffee milk drinkers in the aggregate.

Almost everyone took home some sort of award, no matter how small, which only set the hook deeper and will bring them back for more when spring comes.. With the Nationals behind them there are just a few more outdoor matches left before the gallery season begins in October.