This year the CMP Eastern Games at Camp Butner had just under 450 competitors from 33 states that competed in a variety of events including pistol, rimfire sporter, highpower and long range.
After arriving and checking in with Christina, getting firearms inspected by Rob, and shopping at the store with Melissa, competitors are ready to get settled and head over to the range. On the way to the firing line, they drive through the shadow of the iconic Camp Butner water tower, pass by a row of quonset huts, drive down a dirt road that kicks up dust even at the slowest speeds, and arrive at the range to get settled in for a full day of competitions.
By the time the week is over, everyone’s car and belongings are covered with a thin layer of dirt, an unintentional souvenir that reminds you of the fun, camaraderie and competition even after returning home from North Carolina.
Members from the CMP Board of directors were present at Eastern Games this year including Gerald O’Keefe (Chairman & CEO), Carmen Allegra (Vice Chairman), Launi Meili (Secretary), Regina Chavis (Board Member), and Dan Durben (Board Member). They presented awards at one of the ceremonies; a welcome treat for the accomplished competitors. Jerry and Carmen even entered the Vintage Sniper Team match under the team name “Chairmen of the Boom” and earned bronze medals with a score of 366-6X.
At each of CMP’s matches, you’ll find Small Arms Firing School available to anyone over the age of 12. The training includes a classroom portion followed by coached practice on the range, rounded out with the completion of an EIC match. Hosting this event is one of the best ways to preserve the sport by generating interest introducing new people to the magic!
This year we had 70 participants combined for pistol & rifle. The top 10% from each EIC match were awarded their first four leg points towards their distinguished badges. This year’s deserving winners were Wayne Marcelli and SSG Ryan Carter, USA for pistol, and SFC Justin Neely, USA, SGT Ngawang Tsering, USA and Eric Stiffler for rifle. Congratulations to all and good luck on embarking on your distinguished badge journey!
Keith Schacle had a fantastic showing in the three gun and four gun aggregates, winning both. He shot a 288-9X in the Garand Match, a 285-6X in the Springfield Match, a 288-11X in the Vintage Military Match, and a 290-9X in the Modern Military Match. His total four gun aggregate score was 1,151-35X, just four points shy of the previous record set in 2023 by none other than himself!
Speaking of records, there were a few other records that were broken this year. Greg Ficklin scored a 296-6X in the Garand Match, breaking Dennis DeMille’s previous record set in 2012 (295-6X). Cody Kornegay and Ryan Brady of team “Shenanigans” shot a 395-24X in the vintage sniper team semi- automatic Match surpassing team “Williams-Betzold” record set in 2018 (376-8X). Lastly, John Hawes set a new record for rimfire sporter tactical with a score of 596-39X beating William Schachle’s record set in 2015 (596-37X).
There were six individuals who earned their CMP Master Marksman Medals during the Eastern Games Matches. The CMP and the Garand Collector’s Association joined forces to dream up this program just over one year ago. Marksmen must earn points at designated CMP events, and after earning 40 overall points, they receive their medal! Join us in congratulating the newest Master Marksmen:
- Badge #42 Eric Stiffler, Panama City, FL
- Badge #43 Doug Armstrong, Lexington, NC
- Badge #44 David Cain, Carlisle, PA
- Badge #45 Robert Zielinski, Penfield, NY
- Badge #46 David Hazel, Hudson, MA
- Badge#47 John Murphy, Milford, NH
In the pistol competitions, Daniel Kupar dominated the any sights category in the Pistol 2700 Aggregate with a score of 2,563-95X. SFC Ryan Adams won metallic sights for the same match with his score of 2,513-59X. Martha Hall took first place for .22 only with her score of 2,433-51X.
Victor Betzold continually proves himself to be a “jack of all trades” apparently mastering them all, winning several categories including rimfire sporter T-Class, military & police service pistol, carbine, and long range day 2. His scores were 588-33X, 365-6X, 359-3X and 397-23X respectively. Betzold also took second place in the long range aggregate, trailing just one point behind the winner SSG Logan Frost, who had a score of 793-36X.
Tim Bloss beat out his father Roger in the long range day 1 and day 2 competition for AR Tactical scoring 393-21X and 396-20X. Roger Boss was close behind in second place on day one and third place on day two.
Lastly, after 3 days of highpower competition on range 4 the CMP 2400 Overall Aggregate winners were SSG Jarrod Mcgaffic, USA for service rifle (2,370-98X) and Christopher Blankenship for Match Rifle (2,378-118X).
We cannot thank the North Carolina National Guard enough for the use of their facilities year after year, the CMP staff for facilitating the events, the volunteers who generously dedicate their time, and the competitors for showing up, year after year, bringing friends and keeping this event alive and fun!
Please join us next year for the Eastern Games at Camp Butner: May 2nd- 10th.
See below for results
Mid-Range 3×600
- Match Rifle: Jerrel Neuhaus, 74, Berrnie, MO, 598-30X
- Service Rifle: SP4 Zevin Linse, USA, 22, Columbus, GA, 597-28X
- F-Open: Ronald Turkett, 68, West Columbia, SC, 592-20X
- F T/R: Jerry St. John, 72, North Vernon, IN, 575-10X
- AR Tactical: Terrence McCoy, 70, Kensington, MD, 593-28X
- Palma: SSG Verne Conant, USA, 28, Cataula, GA, 597-33X
Garand Match: Overall: David (Greg) Ficklin, 59, Spartanburg, SC, 296-6X *New Record
Springfield Match: Overall: CW04 Brian Turlington, USCG, 47, Goose Creek, SC, 286-8X
Vintage Military Match: Keith Schachle, 66, Jasper, GA, 288-11X
Three Gun Aggregate: Keith Schacle, 66, Jasper, GA, 861-26X
Modern Military Match: Overall: Thomas Morley, 64, Washington, PA, 295-14X
Four Gun Aggregate: Keith Schachle, 66, Jasper, GA, 1151-35X
Unlimited Garand Match: TSgt Christopher DeForge, USAF, 38, Tampa, FL, 275-4X
Rimfire Sporter Match
- O-Class: Daniel Fergus, 25, High Point, NC, 579-13X
- T-Class: Victor Betzold, 70, Bel Air, MD, 588-33X
- Tactical: John Hawes, 41, Waynesboro, PA, 596-39X *New Record
CMP As Issued 1911 Pistol Match: Overall: CWO4 Brian Turlington, USCG, 47, Goose Creek, SC, 373-9X
Military & Police Service Pistol Match: Overall: Victor Betzold, 70, Bel Air, MD, 365-6X
Revolver Pistol EIC: Donald Dixon, 78, Fairfax, VA, 348-6X
CMP .22 Rimfire Pistol EIC Match: Douglas Armstrong, 65, Lexington, NC, 283-3X
Pistol EIC Match: SFC Ryan Adams, USA, 36, Cameron, NC, 269-6X
.22 Rimfire 900 Aggregate
- Any Sights: Daniel Kupar, 67, Whitehall, PA, 863-36X
- Metallic Sights: SFC Ryan Adams, USA, 36, Cameron, NC, 860-32X
- .22 only: William Trowell, 61, Raleigh, NC, 838-21X
Center Fire 900 Aggregate
- Any Sights: Daniel Kupar, 67, Whitehall, PA, 844-25X
- Metallic Sights: SFC Ryan Adams, USA, 36, Cameron, NC, 824-9X
- .22 only: William Trowell, 61, Raleigh, NC, 835-18X
.45 Pistol 900 Aggregate
- Any Sights: Daniel Kupar, 67, Whitehall, PA, 856-34X
- Metallic Sights: SFC Ryan Adams, USA, 36, Cameron, NC, 829-18X
- .22 only: Martha Hall, 34, Colorado Springs, CO, 804-11X
Match Pistol 2700 Aggregate
- Any Sights: Daniel Kupar, 67, Whitehall, PA, 2,563-95X
- Metallic Sights: SFC Ryan Adams, USA, 36, Cameron, NC, 2,513-59X
- .22 only: Martha Hall, 34, Colorado Springs, CO, 2,433-51X
Overall Individual Pistol Aggregate: Overall: CWO4 Brian Turlington, USCG, 47, Goose Creek, SC, 1,546-20X
Carbine Match: Overall: Victor Betzold, 70, Bel Air, MD, 359-3X
Vintage Sniper Team
- Manual: Hard Leg VI, 393-18X
- Terrence McCoy, 70, Kensington, MD, 199-11X
- Joseph McDonald, 64, Milton, DE, 194-7X
- Semi-Automatic: Shenanigans, 395-24X *New Record
- Cody Kornegay, 34, Seffner, FL, 198-14X
- Ryan Brady, 44, Dade City, FL, 197-10X
- Vietnam: Dan & Shawn Show, 399-29X
- Shawn Risdon, 58, Inman, SC, 200-18X
- Daniel Henk, 76 Tryon, NC,199-11X
Vintage Sniper Team Individual: Shawn Risdon, 58, Inman, SC, 200-18X
Long Range Day 1
- Service Rifle: SSG Shane Butler, USA, 34, Fortson, GA, 388-9X
- Match Rifle: SSG Logan Frost, USA, 33, Phenix City, AL, 397-20X
- Palma Rifle: SSG Verne Conant, USA, 28, Cataula, GA, 389-11X
- F-Class: Roger Powell, 76, Hendersonville, NC, 373-5X
- F T/R: William Thomas, 69, Chesapeake, VA, 356-5X
- AR Tactical: Tim Bloss, 49, Keyser, WV, 393-21X
Long Range Day 2
- Service Rifle: SP4 Adam Fitzpatrick, USA, 29, Columbus, GA, 397-18X
- Match Rifle: Victor Betzold, 70, Bel Air, MD, 397-23X
- Palma Rifle: Brandon Green, 40, Box Springs, GA, 397-21X
- F-Class: Roger Powell, 76, Hendersonville, NC, 386-13X
- F T/R: David Ferrer, 65, Caguas, PR, 378-5X
- AR Tactical: Tim Bloss, 396-20X Roger Bloss 387-12X (3rd)
Long Range Aggregate: SSG Logan Frost, USA, 33, Phenix City, AL, 793-36X
CMP 4-Man Team Match
- Service Rifle: USAMU Fitzpatrick, 1,986-86X
- SP4 Zevin Linse, USA, 22, Columbus, GA, 498-25X
- SSG Jarrod Mcgaffic, USA, 34, Fort Benning, GA, 497-20X
- SP4 Dustin Carr, USA, 23, Phenix City, AL, 497-19X
- SSG Jared Desrosiers, USA, 28, Smiths Station, AL, 494-22X
- Match Rifle: VFB, 1,957-75X
- Brandon Green, 40, Box Springs, GA, 497-32X
- Christopher Blankenship, 44, Holly Ridge, NC, 487-18X
- Jerrel Neuhaus, 74, Berrnie, MO, 487-12X
- SFC Dwayne Lewis, 59, Greenville, SC, 486-13X
CMP 4-Man Team Individual: SP4 Zevin Linse, USA, 22, Columbus, GA, 498-25X
CMP HP Rifle Day 1
- Civilian Service Rifle: Daniel Duitsman, 50, Fredericksburg, VA, 787-29X
- Military Service Rifle: SP4 Zevin Linse, USA, 22, Columbus, GA, 793-37X
- Civilian Match Rifle: Brandon Green, 40, Box Springs, GA, 797-44X
CMP HP Rifle Day 2
- Civilian Service Rifle: Daniel Duitsman, 50, Fredericksburg, VA, 785-30X
- Military Service Rifle: SFC Alexander Deal, 37, Midland, GA,USA, 792-36X
- Civilian Match Rifle: Christopher Blankenship, 44, Holly Ridge, NC, 797-42X
CMP HP Rifle Day 3
- Civilian Service Rifle: Daniel Duitsman, 50, Fredericksburg, VA, 781-22X
- Military Service Rifle: SSG Jarrod Mcgaffic, 34, Fort Benning, GA, 794-34X
- Civilian Match Rifle: Christopher Blankenship, 44, Holly Ridge, NC, 790-37X
CMP 2400 Overall Aggregate
- Service Rifle: SSG Jarrod Mcgaffic, USA, 34, Fort Benning, GA, 2,370-98X
- Match Rifle: Christopher Blankenship, 44, Holly Ridge, NC, 2,378-118X
CMP EIC Service Rifle Match: Elijah Edwards, 25, Columbus, MS, 494-19X
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation that places its highest priority on firearms safety and marksmanship activities, with a focus on youth. CMP’s programs encourage personal growth and build life skills, with such initiatives as its junior training and competition programs, Affiliated Club program and scholarships providing support to citizens of all backgrounds across the nation. Learn more about the CMP at https://thecmp.org/.
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