Perry in the News: The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Everyone here is on target

by D'Arcy Egan, Plain Dealer Columnist
Saturday July 05, 2008, 7:41 AM

Oak Harbor, Ohio -- The World Series of shooting sports is opening with a single "bang" Monday evening.

The First Shot Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on the Rodriguez Range kicks off the National Rifle Association National Rifle and Pistol Matches at Camp Perry, the Ohio National Guard facility on the Lake Erie shoreline.

The competitive levels are high, but this is not the Olympics. More than 6,000 competitive shooters and more than 500 volunteers will be involved in at least one of the phases of the National Matches. The shooters range from everyday club shooters to America's most accomplished marksmen. There will be military teams from all branches of the service, and club squads from all around the U.S.

The beauty of the National Matches lies in the generous mix of sportsmen of all skill levels, said NRA President John Sigler, a longtime competitor at Camp Perry. "The matches provide a venue where anyone, regardless of age, gender or physical condition, can compete in one of the world's most exciting sports," said Sigler. "Competitive shooting is a lifetime sport and Camp Perry offers them an opportunity to test their skills under national match conditions."

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