2004 FINAL OLYMPIC SHOTGUN TEAM TRIALS

[USAS]

FORT BENNING, Ga. – The first day of competition at the Final Olympic Shotgun Team Trials ended with a couple of key changes in the standings in men’s and women’s trap.

Not much changed for two-time Olympian Lance Bade (Colorado Springs, CO), however, as he actually gains ground on his competition, moving to a five-target lead on his next closest competitors. After the Fall Olympic Selection, Bade had only a slim two-target lead, but after today’s match, it seems Bade holds true to his earlier comment that he “is shooting the best scores of his life,” and is preparing himself for medal contention at this summer’s Olympics.

In the second and third position, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s (USAMU) Sgt. 1st Class Bret Erickson (Buena Vista, Ga.) is in a dead heat with Seth Inman (Lexington, Mo.). Erickson finished in third at the first Olympic Trials, while Inman, who was thought to be out of the running, made a huge performance out of this first-day, shooting a 95 to make up the difference. After it is all said and done, only the top-two finishers will make the Olympic Team.

Brett Tagtmeyer (Colorado Springs, Colo.) finished with a first-day score of 87, dropping him out of the second-place position he held in the fall to his current fourth-place standing. Tagtmeyer is still in this though, with a 329, he only trails Inman and Erickson by three targets.

On the women’s side, Collyn Loper (Indian Springs, Ala.) showed composure beyond her years, as she continues to gain ground on her competition, finishing the day five targets ahead. A surprise showing from Amanda Dorman (Peyton, Colo.) should keep Loper on her toes. Dorman moved up a spot from the Fall Selection match by hitting an 87 and pushing USAMU Staff Sgt. Joetta Dement (Seale, Ala.) into third.
Dement trails Dorman by two points. However, only the top woman finisher will be awarded a spot on the 2004 Olympic Team.

For full results, please log onto USA Shooting’s website at www.usashooting.org.






Newsline No. 1 ◄
Editor: Sara Greenlee



Yesterday
AT THE RANGES
Trap Official Training Day

Today
AT THE RANGES
Trap Matches

Friday
AT THE RANGES
Trap Matches


Saturday
AT THE RANGES
Trap Matches, Finals and Awards



Men’s Trap
Top-Ten
1. Lance Bade, 337; 2. Bret Erickson, 332; 3. Seth Inman, 332; 4. Brett Tagtmeyer, 329; 5. Mike Herman, 328; 6. Matt Ruchong, 328; 7. Chris Kiernan, 327; 8. Matthew Wallace, 327; 9. Ryan Hadden, 324; 10. Paul Mullen, 319.


Women’s Trap
Top-Ten
1. Collyn Loper, 323; 2. Amanda Dorman, 318; 3. Joetta Dement, 316; 4. Theresa DeWitt, 306; 5. Emma Simpson, 299; 6. Alisa Hilker, 296; 7. Ellie Schad, 291; 8. Sarah Neans, 289; 9. Lacy Holtz, 287; 10. Kelly Doll, 286.