The High Power Rifle League shoots the National Match Course each month from April to September. This year we were able to complete all six matches as scheduled. Many years we are forced to use the rain date in October. Medals are given out to shooters who participated in at least four of the six matches. Anyone firing in more than four matches had their lowest scores deleted. There are fifty rounds per match so everyone is judged on their highest 200 rounds total.

High Master Class shooter Rich Rennert won the title of Overall Champion with a 1945-60X out of the qualifying 200 rounds. Rich is the only serious shooter in the league that is still using a bolt gun to compete. Obviously he sees no reason to switch.

Ken Meise took the Master Class Champion with a 1923-46X. He is a serious shooter and competes regularly at Camp Perry. Ken shoots an AR-15 type of rifle and always scores at or near the top.

A long time league participant, Craig Saracco, easily captured the Expert Class Champion award with a 1898-47X. Craig had a good year and is looking forward to an even better one in 2004.

Ken Kapusta’s 1785-14X enabled him to become the Sharpshooter Class Champion. Bob has been shooting the league for years and his perseverance has finally paid off.

Pete Simchera, another regular league shooter had a very good year totaling 1788-21X to take the Marksman Class Champion title. Pete really only wanted to beat his brother Mike. Mike is looking for revenge next year.

There were forty-four match contestants eligible for medals by shooting at least 200 rounds this year. Of these, sixteen were awarded medals including those listed above. The following are the other medal recipients:

Master Class

• Rick Hemsley – First
• Bill Elster – Second

Expert Class

• Dennis O’Flaherty – First

• Abram Vermeulen – Second
• Paul Lemke - Third
• Jamison Giraudin – Fourth

Sharpshooter Class

• Frank Sevean – First
• Al Andreu – Second

Marksman Class

• Debra Dempsey – First
• Mike Soule – Second
• Pete Simchera - Third