Russ & Vickie Evans

CMP Announces Olympic Silver Medalist SGT Maddalena as 2025 First Shot Speaker

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – Mark your calendars! The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is thrilled to announce SGT Sagen Maddalena of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit as the 2025 National Matches First Shot Speaker. She will take her ceremonial first shot on July 14 at 4:30 p.m. on the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility’s historic Rodriguez Range in Port Clinton, Ohio.

Since 1907, the National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Matches have been held at Camp Perry – welcoming each generation’s most talented marksmen and women from around the country as well as those hoping to learn more about the sport. The First Shot Ceremony serves as the traditional opening to the month-long competition season, while the First Shot speaker is an honored distinction amongst the marksmanship community.

SGT Maddalena began her career as a junior on the California Grizzlies highpower rifle team. As a Grizzly, she garnered several successes including the Freedom’s Fire Trophy as a member of the highest scoring team in the National Matches Junior Rifle Team Match in 2013. Maddalena went on to join the University of Alaska Fairbanks rifle team before heading to the Army.

After several successes on a global level, she made her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games before returning to Team USA for the 2024 Paris Games in both air rifle and smallbore – earning silver in the women’s three-position match. 

The CMP is honored to have her back to kick off the 2025 National Matches!

About the National Matches:

The National Matches schedule is comprised of the Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches, National Games Matches, National Smallbore Matches, National Air Gun Championships and the National Mid-Range and Long Range Matches. Along with several competitive opportunities, the National Matches includes a variety of educational clinics for all experience levels as well as shopping selections from some of today’s leading industry vendors.

Plan your visit to the 2025 National Matches and view the schedule of events at https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/.

CMP’s Junior Rifle Club for Youth of All Skill Levels to Open in September

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – This fall, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is set to host another session of its fun and informative Junior Rifle Club – a weekly group that introduces firearm safety, marksmanship fundamentals, air rifle competition experience and life skills through fun instruction on the range!

Training is held within the innovative indoor electronic air range of the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, located on Camp Perry in Port Clinton. The 10-week Fall Session will begin Tuesday, Sept. 17, with a “Meet & Greet” informational meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10, for those interested in learning more firsthand.

No prior experience is necessary to join. Participants in the club will not only learn about the sport of marksmanship but also character building proficiencies like discipline, self-control, goal setting and more – all with an emphasis on safety.

Each training session is led by former NCAA Division I rifle athletes, including CMP Junior Rifle Camps manager Ryan Hinson, who was an athlete at Morehead State University, along with CMP program coordinator Alana Kelly, who was previously a member at the University of Mississippi.

The Junior Rifle Club at Camp Perry will be conducted every Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. There is no initial cost to join the club, with equipment provided by the CMP in introductory weeks.

If you’d like to become involved in the Junior Rifle Club or have questions and are unable to attend the Meet & Greet, please contact CMP’s Ryan Hinson at rhinson@thecmp.org or call 419-635-2141 ext. 751. You may also attend to CMP’s Open Public time slots, hosted every Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Find more details and registration information on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/junior-rifle-club/.

Additional Open Marksmanship Times. The Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m and Tuesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Outside the range doors, the facility features two Laser Shot simulators with hundreds of virtual courses to enjoy, along with authentic Olympic and other memorabilia from the career of celebrated American marksman, Gary Anderson. The center also includes a retail center for equipment and memorabilia needs.

The CMP Competition Center is also available for local groups to hold meetings or conferences. For questions, please call Catherine at (419) 635-2141, ext. 704. Learn more about the CMP’s air gun competition centers at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.

CMP Partners with Lake Erie Arms for Weekly Bullseye League

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

MILAN, Ohio – The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is excited to announce a new Bullseye Pistol League, held in partnership with Lake Erie Arms!

The eight-week league will meet every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 17, 2024, at Lake Erie Arms – a 94,000-square-foot indoor public complex that houses multiple 25-yard and 100-yard ranges, an indoor clay house, virtual simulator, sales as well as a café and upscale member club. The facility is located just a short drive from CMP’s Port Clinton headquarters.

“The CMP is grateful for this opportunity to expand our outreach with Lake Erie Arms and to continue supporting marksmanship opportunities throughout the year,” said Christie Sewell, CMP Chief Programs Officer.

“I’ve personally used the indoor ranges at Lake Erie Arms in the past and have been very impressed with the helpful staff as well as the outstanding accommodations,” she went on. “We’re more than happy to encourage others to explore this local facility for themselves through this enjoyable event.”

The weekly co-ed Bullseye League will be conducted in a single-person format, challenging participants on target accuracy. Both beginner and advanced levels will be offered, with a standard course of fire at 25 yards with .22LR or .45ACP pistols. Pistols are also available for rent!

CMP’s Pistol Manager, Jim Henderson, will be present during the league and will offer a Beginner’s Class on Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. for anyone new to the sport or those with questions on how to improve his or her marksmanship skills.

To add to the fun, the CMP will award Gift Certificates ($100, $75 and $50) to the top three overall league participants and a $100 CMP Gift Certificate to the top beginner.

Learn more and register for this friendly recreational league at https://www.learms.net/cmp-bullseye-league. More information on Bullseye Pistol can be found on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-pistol-program/. Discover all Lake Erie Arms has to offer at https://www.learms.net/!

Other CMP Offerings: Each summer, the CMP hosts the month-long National Rifle and Pistol Matches on the outdoor ranges of the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility in Port Clinton for participants of all experience levels. Camp Perry is also home to CMP’s Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, which houses an 80-point indoor electronic air gun range and Laser Shot simulators, as well as Petrarca Range, an outdoor electronic range – both open weekly to the public. Learn more at https://thecmp.org/.

Test Your Competitive Strength During the 2024 Ohio Triple Crown

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Writer

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – Are you a pistol competitor looking for an exciting challenge of skill and endurance? Sign up for the 2024 Ohio Triple Crown, a pistol event hosted by the Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association (ORPA) that combines matches from some of the leading marksmanship entities in the state – all through the month of July.

This three-match aggregate includes Ohio’s top Pistol 2700 matches:

• the Cardinal 4-Gun Match at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, July 7-10
• the Canton-McKinley Regional Match at the Canton-McKinley Rifle and Pistol Club in Canton, July 12-14 
• the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) National Matches at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Site in Port Clinton, July 14-21

Pistol 2700 aggregate events combine scores using three different firearm types: .22 caliber, Centerfire and .45 caliber. Slow-fire is held at 50 yards, with timed-fire and rapid-fire conducted at 25 yards. Each stage will include 20 record shots.

Last year, junior Ethan Clark, 19, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, was the first-ever winner of the Ohio Triple Crown – claiming the Sharpshooter class at all three events. Though the event had already been held two times before, no winner had been named until 2023 – evidence to the difficulty of the campaign.

Outside of the overall winner, the competitor who has the highest overall aggregate of the three combined 2700 scores but did not win all three matches will be named the High Aggregate Winner. Competitors may also earn the highest aggregate score in their individual classes: High Master, Master, Expert, Sharpshooter and Marksman.

Find more information on each location and sign up for the matches:

Cardinal Center Pistol Range – https://www.thecardinalcenter.com/
Register – https://www.redfeatheroutfitters.com/4-gun-showdown-2024/

Canton-McKinley Rifle and Pistol Club – https://cantonmckinleyriflepistolclub.com/
Register – https://cantonmckinleyriflepistolclub.com/2023-regional/

CMP’s National Pistol Matches (Info and Registration) – https://thecmp.org/cmp-matches/national-trophy-pistol-games-matches/

For questions or additional information, contact Jim Henderson, CMP Pistol Manager, at jhenderson@thecmp.org.

Shirley, Welter Claim Wins at 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

A total of 330 junior sporter and precision air rifle athletes arrived in Ohio and Alabama over the weekend of Dec. 1-2 to compete in the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational – one of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) most anticipated youth events of the year. Individuals from around the country participated in the three-position match, with Gary Anderson himself even in attendance to witness the budding talent on the firing line.

In sporter, Bethany Shirley, 17, of Monroe, GA, acquired a commanding lead with a score of 660.6 for the overall win – nearly 20 points over Brooklyn Zeigler, 16, of Gray, TN, who earned a score of 642.9 for second. Rounding out the top three was Brayden Rich, 16, of Winthrop Harbor, IL, with a score of 641.5.

Leading the precision class was Natalie Welter,14, of Parker, PA, with an overall score of 699.7. Following closely in second was Carley Seabrooke, 17, of Helena, AL, with an aggregate score of 698.3, as Jack Ogoreuc, 16, Grove City, PA, found a score of 697.4 for third.

Along with individual competitions, a four-person team event is also held during the event.

Leading teams of the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational:

Precision:

1. American Legion Post 295 – 2348-156X
2. East Coweta – 2325-138X
3. Camden County High School Team A – 2323-131X

Sporter:

1. Zion Benton High School Team 1 – 2174-55X
2. Daniel Boone High School Sporter 1 – 2149-69X
3. Zion Benton High School Team 1 – 2140-54X

The Gary Anderson Invitational is held within the 80-point electronic air gun ranges at both the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center at Camp Perry, Ohio, and the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center in Anniston, Ala. The junior sporter and precision air rifle competition includes kneeling, prone and standing positions for qualification scores as well as a 10-shot final fired by all athletes on the line. Winners are determined from scores at both locations.

Find a complete list of results of the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational on the CMP’s website at https://ct.thecmp.org/GAI23Results.   

View and download free event photos from both locations at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/f260916458.

About Gary Anderson: 

Mr. Anderson is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and holds seven world championships, six world records and 16 national championships. He has won more Olympic and world championship three-position titles than any other American in history. In 1999, Anderson began a 10-year reign as Director of Civilian Marksmanship and retired in December 2009. 

Today, Anderson serves as DCM Emeritus and remains a mentor for new and experienced, old and young shooters around the country through his articles and classes. Anderson’s advice is regularly featured in CMP’s junior magazine, On The Mark, and throughout the year during the clinics he leads at CMP events. In 2014, the CMP North Competition Center was renamed the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, in honor of his years of dedication to the sport.

Local Couple Finds Shared Hobby Through CMP’s Air Gun Center

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

You might say that Tom and Joan Kerbel met by “accident” – that is, a car accident. 

One fateful day, Tom got into a wreck so bad that it, unfortunately, destroyed his lunch – so, he was forced to walk into the local Subway to have another sandwich made. There, the employee, Joan, was happy to make him another. The two ultimately hit it off, marking the beginning of a lasting relationship.

Fast forward eight years into their marriage and the two have sparked a new type of love affair that has strengthened their bond even more – air gun competition at Camp Perry.

Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio, is headquarters to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) – a national organization dedicated to firearm safety and competition for all. The base also holds the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, which is home to an indoor, 80-point electronic air gun range that has facilitated local, regional and national events for over a decade, including Olympic trials.

Outside of competition, the air gun range hosts Open Public timeslots each week, where anyone of any skill level is welcome to give air rifle or air pistol a try – even if they don’t own an air gun of their own. It’s a great place to gather with friends and family or simply to try something new.

“We like it because it’s something we can do together,” Tom said. “We enjoy it.”

Joan, a native of nearby Gibsonburg all her life, was aware of Camp Perry and had seen the activity around the National Matches each summer (an event held at Camp Perry since 1907), but never knew what it was about.

“I just knew it was some sort of shooting – I didn’t know it was people from all over the world, which is amazing,” she said.

Tom, also from the area, remembers shooting .22 rifles at Camp Perry when he was younger – even thinking back to the famous Mess Hall that was destroyed by a tornado in the late 1990s. He got away from visiting Camp Perry for a while then came back around six years ago when he was invited by a group of friends to try out the air gun range. 

Though he had always shot for fun at sportsman’s clubs, he didn’t know what to expect with air gun. He was quickly entranced and soon encouraged Joan – who wasn’t too keen on the idea of shooting – to join him at the range.

“I thought to myself, ‘Great, now I have to sit and watch him shoot,’” she admitted. “I didn’t want to go.”

Her thoughts changed as she walked up to the main entrance of the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, saying she was immediately impressed by the facility.

“We were surprised at how big and beautiful the building is,” Joan said. “When you walk in the door, the people are so helpful and so cheerful.”

Once in the range, Tom got Joan on the firing line with an air rifle, though she was nervous. Thankfully, her worries were alleviated with the help of CMP’s employees who happily assisted her during her first dive into marksmanship.

“There were people there to help us, and that felt really good,” she said. “The people at Camp Perry came over and showed me how to set everything up and how to handle the air rifle and how to absolutely be safe.”

“And I was instantly hooked,” she went on. “I just loved it.”

CMP’s trained staff, like former Division I NCAA rifle athletes Ryan Hinson (CMP junior rifle camp coordinator) and Catherine Green (North Range coordinator) have supported Joan along the way and are always at the range to help others interested in the sport. Joan also received help from CMP’s Jackie Slosnerick, who regularly competes in air pistol.

“They were very comforting,” she said of the CMP staff members. “They’re so willing to help you.”

The staff gave her tips on how to improve her shots and made the entire process easier on the newcomer.

“The people are so nice – I can’t stress that enough,” she said. “The cost isn’t bad to try it out, to rent the gun and buy pellets. It’s just a fun day.”

Joan admits she likes the lightweight air guns because it’s less compression on the ears, with no kickback as with other firearms. Tom and Joan also like the controlled temperature of the range – avoiding the elements of the outdoors.

Tom and Joan visit the air gun range every Tuesday and Thursday during the day and compete in CMP matches when they can. Since their start, they’ve now grown to participate in other marksmanship disciplines, with Joan recently moving on to the outdoor .22 rifle and .22 pistol. Tom also shoots silhouettes, long range and black powder events in his spare time and even won five air gun trophies during the 2023 National Matches.

“It was just a good year,” Tom said with a smile.

Tom and Joan became so involved with air gun that they even trained to become range officers – individuals who ensure safety on the range during events. It was while serving as a range officer during one of CMP’s competitions that Joan took notice of air pistol and became intrigued.

“I thought, ‘I’d like to try that,’” she said. “So, the next time we went to the air range, I tried air pistol, and BAM – I was hooked again.”

Joan has goals of her own in the sport – starting small by trying to reach an overall score of 400 and earning a bronze medal at the upcoming 2024 National Matches. Until then, she and Tom will continue their weekly dates at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, doing what they love.

“We feel blessed to have this facility so close to our residence. So many people can’t do this,” Joan said. “We’ve also met so many wonderful people through shooting. It’s amazing.”

Learn more about CMP’s Competition Centers, including open hours and other frequently asked questions, by visiting https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.