The Lake Country Action Shooters of Wisconsin website states that it “introduces teenagers 12-20 years old to shooting, and turns them into safe and experienced shooters in a season.” That just may be the biggest understatement in the history of understatements considering they just captured their 4th consecutive National Title at the 2017 SCTP and SASP National Championships held at the Cardinal Shooting Center, July 8th- 15th, in Marengo, Ohio.
The 2017 Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) National Championships brought together competitive shooters, ages 8 to 23, from 32 states to compete for national titles in the shotgun disciplines of American Trap, Handicap Trap, Bunker Trap, Trap Doubles, Skeet, Skeet Doubles and Sporting Clays. Pistol and rifle competitors competed for steel shooting titles in Rimfire Pistol, Centerfire Pistol, Iron Sight Rifle and Optics Rifle divisions.
“Go545.com is our website and our motto,” said David Richman, coach of the Lake Country Action Shooters and father to two of the team’s top shooters, Dylan and Teagan. “We encourage our shooters to focus on control and accuracy in order to improve their overall speed. We want them to hit 5 targets with 5 bullets…as in Go 5 for 5!”
“Our team has been very fortunate and successful over the past five years, said Richman. “Part of the foundation of each of those championship teams were Dylan and Teagan Richman along with the contributions of other excellent athletes. These athletes have graduated and are no longer with us but they were part of our success. Currently there are 3 athletes part of our team since its inception (2012-13 season) they are: Dylan Richman, Teagan Richman and Alex Matson. Two athletes, Dylan and Teagan have been part of every varsity championship win. Alex was part of the varsity team for this year’s win. We currently have new athletes that are working on building their own future on the LCAS team.”
The Lake Country Action Shooters had two squads compete in four disciplines at the 2017 SASP National Championships.
Varsity Squad: Dylan Richman, Teagan Richman, Alex Matson, James Van Gilder
Junior Varsity Squad: Tarek Powell, Jonathan Steffel, Dylan Lenz, Jack Gerstmeier
The LCAS Team results were as follows:
Centerfire Pistol
LCAS V CP 177.83 1st
LCAS JV CP 297.21 1st
1911
LCAS V 1911 188.05 1st
LCAS JV 1911 426.46 2nd
Optics Rifle
LCAS V OR 151.6 1st
LCAS JV OR 209.75 1st
Iron Rifle
LCAS V IR 164.37 1st
LCAS JV IR 223.07 1st
Individual CP Awards/ placements:
CP Men
Dylan Richman – 2017 Senior Division Pistol High Male Centerfire
1st Dylan Richman
5th James Van Gilder
6th Alex Matson
36th Dylan Lenz
38 th Jack Gerstmeier
41st Jonathan Steffel
55th Tarek Powell
CP Women
1st Teagan Richman – 2017 Senior Division Pistol High Female Centerfire
When combined with all shooters Teagan placed 3rd overall.
Individual Rifle Awards/ placements:
IR Ladies
1st Teagan Richman 39.26
OR Ladies
1st Teagan Richman 39.46
Teagan Richman – 2017 Rifle High Female Overall”
According to Richman, the team got together for weekly practices during the two months leading up to the SASP National Championships. “Sometimes we shoot live rounds and sometimes we get together for dry-fire practice in one of the kids basements or garages. The parents and families are as big a part of this team as the athletes themselves,” said Richman.
“It wasn’t easy to find a place to get together to shoot live rounds for the first year or two,” stated Richman. “But two shooting clubs in our area took us in and gave us a place to practice. I’d like to thank the Oconomowoc Sportsman’s Club and Stonebank Sportsmen’s Club for giving us that opportunity.”
“We’re also extremely appreciative and thankful for the major support from the ACME Bullet Company and Jagemann Sporting Group for their sponsorship and dedication towards our team year after year.”
I asked Richman how he felt about his team winning its 4th consecutive National Title and what he had this to say, “I have been coaching for over 30 years in different sports. I am extremely proud of my athletes that I have been able to coach over these past five short years. Each athlete has made an impact and contributed in the direction and success of the Lake Country Action Shooting program. The hard work, dedication, and camaraderie that these athletes exhibited this year were outstanding. With all of these components together it has made this year very special for me. The results truly speak volumes of this team.”
Ben Berka, SSSF president and executive director, said, “Rick brings a great deal of direct program knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to the role of national director. Like many employees at SSSF, he’s a guy who started out as a parent volunteer and has made his way in our organization through his proven dedication to our programs, hard work and his desire to help people. I’m pleased to have Rick at the helm of the SASP and a part of our senior leadership team at the SSSF.”