In the Ready Shed Friday

Gettin Down (on the Line)

John Weaver, Ted Zysk, Steve Martens, Carroll Pilant and Eliza Farmer on the line and ready Friday AM.

Waiting and Working on Friday

Ronan Niemi, Ontario waits and plays outside the Stat House with Ohio friend Carol Urbank while his Mom Lorena Niemi reads a book under the big shade tent  and waits for shoot-offs to begin. Ronan's grandfather Peter Durrant, Ontario finishes the set-up for the long distance shoot-off banks.

Friday AM Shoot-Off Day

Mike Stimson resting after helping set up the Air shoot-off targets and Warren Alkire just finished calling the Air shoot-off line.

Waiting in the 'ready shed' for shoot-offs were Joe Cullison, OR; Ted Zysk, IN; Charles Iftiger CA and standing Buddy Rhoads, TX.

Jim Tolbert, Wyoming was one of several line judges for the Friday shoot-offs.

How many shoot-off targets did you hit Chris? Darice Rhoads, TX doing the honors as spotter for fellow Region IV shooter Chris Dunlap, KS.

Friday Shoot-Offs

They had hoped to start shoot offs by 8:30 but it took until closer to 9:00 to get the shoot off banks in place. It was close to 3:30 ET before the last relay was finished. The addition of a shoot-off bank of targets for all 80's shot during the match was discussed as a possible way to speed up this process. Anyone shooting an 80 would go directly to the shoot off bank and record those target results on his original score card.

In the following photos Larry Harris and Ted Zysk are the shoot-off participants. Every shooter's goal is to get 5 of 5 targets on the first bank and therefore be pretty much assured of 1st place. Easier said, then done.

A Look at the Awards Presentation Process

The much treasured piece of wood that was awarded during the awards presentation ceremony on Friday looked a lot like the shooter participation plaques with the exception of the word "Champion." Chris didn't win a big bore championship this year, so I took this photo for him to look at as he prepares for next year's International.

There were also non-traditional non-sanctioned awards presented in the spirit of fun. Buddy Rhoads gets fitted with the 'order of the garter' for his score in the Bordello Field Pistol Class. This class was started in Ft. Stockton last year by some Texas shooters using their concealed-carry gun in the traditional Field Pistol category.

Nancy LaCroix new IHMSA president getting ready to present the PC sponsored Sportsman trophy. They were still waiting for one more member for the presentation. He was in the last photo shown below as volunteers tear down and put up of the shade tents and general 'clean up' after the match.

Thanks All Around

The PC sponsored Sportsman Trophy was presented as was the Iron Man Trophy and it was time for Thank You's all around to the volunteers who made this year's match a resounding success. Entry numbers were down from Tusco 2006 but numbers were up from Ft. Stockton 2007.

Warren Alkire ran the line for the shoot-offs and presided over the trophy presentations.

Warren Alkire getting ready to present the last award of the 2008 IHMSA Internationals.

Nancy thanks hubby, Ken LaCroix who spent many hours manning the computer, entering scores and making the numbers available in the form of match standing sheets.

Lorene Thompson UT getting thanks for her hours spent behind the entry desk in the Stat House. She found time to shoot some entries as well.

Russell Mowles Queensland Australia expressing his thanks to the Ohio volunteers and all those that contributed time and energy to putting on this 2008 International. "It was a well-done blokes aka atta boy, thank you."

Good-by Until 2009 in Ft. Stockton

Departing (camera) shots from Midvale Ohio.

Ted Zysk taking shots in the back of his truck, probably of trophy plaques, he won a bunch.

Oklahoma and TX shooters bid farewell to Iron Man Joe Cullison, OR in the parking lot.

Joe Cullison OR and Steve Martens MN with their trophy 'wood.' Quite a stack for Steve, but then he had those additional Air class entries. Everyone took home a plaque with individual match results to be sent later in the form of a metal add-on plate.

Trophy presentation photos will be added to this blog after they appear in the IHMSA News. Until then good-by till next July.

John Anderson OK, Jim Fields OK, Joe Cullison OR with Robin & John Weaver TX.

Joe Cullison OR with Ken LaCroix MN.

Steve Martens MN with his haul. (note to Iron Man Cullison, 'I had to use two hands to carry my plaques.')

PS (maybe note from Cullison) 'Iron Men can carry large heavy loads with one hand.'

Big Bore Results 3 of 5 Sheets

Match results were posted Thursday evening at Headquarters, The Schoenbrunn Inn's Delaware Room. Apologies for the hand held camera results, it was late and the tripod was packed under several boxes of guns in the trunk. Hope this is legible enough to read. Remember to click on photos to enlarge.

Hopefully results will soon be on line at IHMSA.org

This has been a fun learning experience, hope you have enjoyed the photos and jawing.

Michele Dunlap

Sometimes KS shooter and always Chris' spotter

Last Two Sheet of Big Bore

End of Small Bore and UASHS