Staff writer
At least 20 people participated in the fourth annual Blue Rock Shoot on Saturday during Lincolnville’s Octoberfest. Participants ranged from 12 to 72 years old.
Elias Jirak, 12, of Ramona, was shy about expressing his feelings, but it was obvious he was excited about shooting. He said this was his second year to compete in the 15-and-under age group. He learned to shoot by practicing with his dad.
Becca Casey, 15, of Lincolnville, said this was her first shooting competition. She said she learned to shoot at several summer camps she attended.
“I got all five shots,” she said. “I feel pretty good. Getting that first shot helped me for the next shot because I knew what I needed to do.”
Leonard “Mick” Meyer, 72, of Lincolnville has been participating in shooting sports since he was a teenager. While working at a job in Salina, he was in shooting leagues organized within the company.
“I don’t do much hunting, but I like to shoot guns,” he said.
J.C. Saunders and his family of Lehigh provided the throwers and targets for the event. Participants brought their own guns and ammunition. They bought rights to shoot for a turkey, ham, or jerky. Several also paid to take part in a money round. Each person got five rounds of five shots each.
The final round was a “knock-out” round in which participants paid for a chance to compete with all the others in one large group. To remain a contestant, the shooter had to hit his target but had one extra chance and could buy back one more chance. The one with the most hits was the winner.
Meyer said last year he finished second in the knock-out round.
“I and another guy had a lengthy shootout,” he said. “We were both running out of shells.”
He said there aren’t as many shoots around as there used to be, but whenever he finds out about one, he is eager to participate.
“It’s a sport, and I enjoy it,” he said.
Saturday’s winners were Mick Meyer, first place; J.C. Saunders, second place; and Tony Hett, third place.