The Redstone Arsenal Skeet Team made a strong showing at the Alabama State Skeet Championships recently by sweeping up all the Five-Man Team awards.
About 50 shooters assembled from around the state for the three-day tournament held at Fort Rucker, Ala on May 31 to June 2.
Redstone Arsenal's team is comprised of five individuals who work and shoot at Redstone Arsenal. All five shooters are also retired Army personnel and most shot for the Army American Skeet Team at some point while on active duty.
They are: Layne Merritt from the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center; Mark Haughs from CALIBRE; Alan Cotney and Larry Krutzinger from Army Materiel Command; and Gary Hunter from Space and Missile Defense Command.
"We form the team from Redstone shooters based on performance, so there is some friendly internal competition as well," said Layne Merritt, Chief Engineer of Aviation Development at the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineer Center. "New shooters are always welcome. I have always found skeet shooters to be very friendly and supportive, regardless of ability."
The Alabama State Skeet Championships consisted of five events totaling 500 clay targets, 100 each of doubles, 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 bore. The results of the last four are also combined for the capstone event, the High Overall (HOA). Individual scores are added to make up the five-man team score.
The top three individual HOA awards were won by David Thompson and Layne Merritt, both from Madison, Ala.; and Mark Haughs from Lake Guntersville, with 393, 387, and 385 of 400 targets respectively.
Krutsinger won the .410 Gun Champ, and Cotney, Merritt, and Haughs were 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 bore Third, respectively. Cotney, Krutsinger, Hunter, Haughs and Roy Jorgensen, also a Redstone shooter, earned Alabama All State status for their 2012 achievements.
The Redstone team swept up all the five-man team awards, breaking 1911 of 2000 targets.
"There is stiff competition from several clubs in the state, so we were extremely pleased to have come out on top in all the five-man events," said Merritt.
Team members train at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and Mars Skeet Club ranges. They like to promote the sport and welcome new shooters. Skeet and trap lessons are available through the Redstone MWR Outdoor Recreation Center. Call 256-876-HUNT (4868) or visit the Outdoor Recreation Center for more information.
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