For the first time in many years the FSSA fielded teams at the NRA nationals. Shooting in the 2nd Amendment Match, the two-man team of Robert and Jon Faustino (captain) finished 27th out of 66 teams competing, with a score of 961-15X.

Shooting in the RNDC Trophy match the four-man team of Bill Walter (coach/shooter), Jon Faustino (captain/shooter), Robert Faustino and Jeff Stuart finished 30th out of 87 with a score of 1913-51X. In the Rumbold Trophy match we were third of five state associations in the master class.

On behalf of all the team members, thanks to the FSSA for sponsoring our teams.

According to the NRA bulletin, 21 Florida residents entered the 2011 NRA Nationals as individuals, and we did pretty well. The table below lists the awards we brought home. The NRA doesn't make this easy, so if I missed someone, or goofed up, please let me know.

These are all great results, but I'd like to note Bill Walter taking 2nd Place Civilian in the Springfield M1A match, and George Klisiewecz taking 2nd overall in the National NRA Match Rifle Championship, Expert class. Outstanding performance, guys.

By Class, and alphbetical order:

Name	Class/Category	Award	Match
Bill Walter	HM/MR	2nd Place Civilian	NRA Springfield/M1A Match
		3rd	Scott Trophy (200 yards, rapid fire)
		7th	Coast Guard Trophy (200 yards, rapid fire)
Robert Faustino	MA/MR	3rd	Navy Cup (200 yards, slow fire)
		4th	Air Force Cup (600 yards, slow fire)
		5th	Nevada Trophy (aggregate across the course)
Paul Larson	MA/MR	High Grand Senior	Coast Guard Trophy (200 yards rapid fire)
Frances Klisiewecz	MA/SR	2nd	Vandenberg Cup (aggregate across the course)
		2nd	Coast Artillery Trophy (300 yards rapid fire)
Michael Schunemann	MA/SR	6th	Scott Trophy (200 yards rapid fire)
George Klisiewecz	EX/MR	2nd	National NRA Match Rifle Championship
		2nd	Clark Trophy (aggregate across the course)
		2nd	Navy Cup (200 yards slow fire)
		2nd	Crowell Trophy (600 yards slow fire)
Robert Phillips	EX/SR	7th	Members Trophy (200 yards slow fire)
Jeff Stuart	EX/MR	Winner	Air Force Cup (600 yards slow fire)

After several quiet years Florida Riflemen are again making a lot of noise at the National Matches. This year during CMP week, 27 service rifle shooters from Florida made the 1,000 mile pilgrimage north to Camp Perry, Ohio. CMP week is filled with prestigious matches beginning with the M16 Excellence in Competition Match, Presidents Match, National Trophy Individual Match, The Hearst Doubles Match and the National Trophy Team match, and there are more.

Florida’s riflemen and women did not disappoint, bringing home many medals and points towards Distinguished Rifleman Status.

Some of the Florida Service Rifle Shooters accomplishments:

• Paul Angelo – Leg points, M16 Excellence in Competition Match
• Jeff Clark - The Police Trophy, National Trophy Individual
• Jeff Clark - Gold Medal, National Trophy Individual Match
• Dan Dorosheff - Gold Medal, National Trophy Individual Match
• Dan Karmolinski – Bronze Medal, National Trophy Individual Match
• Brian McKelhaney -Bronze Medal, National Trophy Individual Match
• Bob Stokes – Leg points, M16 Excellence in Competition Match
• Tim Stokes – Leg points, M16 Excellence in Competition Match
• Bill Walter – Presidents 100, Presidents Match
• Bill Walter - Gold Medal, National Trophy Individual Match

The Florida Service Rifle team also represented our state well placing 23rd of 53 teams competing. This was the first time Florida fielded a team since 2003 and seven years off creates plenty of room for improvement. We fully expect to move up in the standings next year. Brian McKelhaney, served as the team captain and Bill Walter the coach. The team is composed of six-rifle shooters, plus two target pullers and a scorer.

I think we can say it was a good year for Florida Service Rifle shooters and can’t wait to see how 2012 shapes up.

Riflemen and women lined up to test their skills against one another and against the elements again this year at the Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club 600 yard range. The match began on Feb 24th and ran through March 6th.

Sixty-nine competitors for the Mid Range and 53 for the Across the Course matches came from all over the US and even all the way from Ireland. There were also nine Across the Course and eleven mid range teams that competed for top honors.

Wind and rain always adds an element of difficulty that brings additional challenge and this year delivered plenty of challenge. Wind gusts of up to 31 miles per hour were recorded and rain helped test our gear.

The matches concluded on Sunday, March 6th with an EIC match racing against a pending storm. Fortunately the storm held off just long enough to complete the match and pending CMP approval, John Wiles won 8 points and Walt Babula won 6 points towards their Distinguished Rifleman Badge. For John that means he legged out with his required 30 points if the CMP agrees.

To see the scores and winners please visit http://www.orangeblossomregional.com/MatchScores.htm