Libby Scatterguns end winter season

The Libby Scatterguns ended the winter season Saturday with a touching salute to two fallen shooters. Following a moment of silence, the league members shot three rounds of three birds each in honor of the memories of Al Corda and Ron Curtiss.

The salute to the fallen is not the only tradition the league kept at their end-of-season awards luncheon. They also shot the hats of three members who shot their first perfect 25 scores in competition during the season. Jeff Robertson, Cole Spencer and Jeremy Rank surrendered their hats for the ceremony. Bernie Cassidy also scored his first perfect 25 this season, but because he was unable to attend this event his hat was shot at a previous event.

More than three dozen people gathered at the Lincoln County Shooting Complex for the end-of-season gathering to eat, shoot and celebrate the end of another successful season.

“We lost a couple of true champions of our sport this year,” said league organizer Mike Cirian. “But we’re committed to developing new ones to take their places.”

This season’s trap champion was Mike Cirian. Dan Ackerman placed second, with Art Dudley rounding out the top three.

The skeet champion was the youth shooter, Roy Hyde, with Jeremy Rank in the runner-up position.

Colton Moore was the youth trap champion, with Roy Hyde winning the youth skeet competition. Dameon Kelch was the youth high shooter overall, placing second in both trap and skeet.

Debbie Lepo picked up the women’s title.

Doug Reynolds was the league’s most improved adult shooter, with Isaac O’Rourke taking home the title of most improved youth shooter.

The expansion of the league to include more women and youth is a positive Cirian highlighted.

“To see more women and kids coming out to join the league is very important. It is the future of our sport,” he said.

League organizers gathered prizes and provided each of the league’s members with a door prize at the event.

In addition to the competitive side of the shooting sports, Cirian said the league also focuses on teaching safety and respect for firearms.

“We’re focused on safety as our number one priority,” Cirian said.