Callaway muzzleloaders shoot for gold in competition

Three Callaway County residents shot for gold at the 2015 State Games of America held in Omaha and Lincoln, Neb. July 28 - Aug. 2.

Marilyn Turner and her two oldest grandsons, 15-year-olds Hunter Schroer and Joshua Johnson, competed in their first State Games of America and placed in nearly every black powder muzzleloading competition they entered.

Turner, who has been shooting with the Missouri Off Hand Association for seven years and is a member of the Booneslick Muzzleloaders Club in New Florence, competed in seven shooting com- petitions. Each competition varied by shooting method, shooting distance and target description.

Turner competed and placed in the following muzzleloading events:

• 25-yard rifle shooting - This event required competitors to shoot six small bull ring targets. Turner took gold.

• 25-yard rifle shooting - Participants shot a 100-yard bull ring target. Turner shot for silver.

• 50-yard rifle shooting - Turner came in third place for shooting a regular bull ring target.

• 50-yard rifle shooting - Shooters aimed for a 100-yard bull ring target. Turner placed second.

• Fer Du Lac shooting - Competitors had to shoot two small bull rings and one-half of a bull ring on a 25-yard target. Turner had the third best aim in this unique event.

• 25-yard pistol shooting - Turner decided to compete in this event despite having less experience shooting with a pistol. Her lack of experience was not apparent, as she took first place.

• Team match - Turner teamed up with another competitor to shoot targets and they collectively earned a bronze medal.

Turner said she was not nervous competition in several events. She "felt good and confident" about her shooting overall.

"You don't know until you're done firing about how to feel but at least you get instant results," Turner said.

Turner's grandsons competed in three different categories, which also varied by distance, shooting method and target description. Schroer and Johnson shot in the 25-yard rifle competition, which required them to shoot a six bull ring target. Johnson took gold and Schroer did not place. However, Schroer took gold and Johnson shot for silver in the 50-yard rifle competition, which required participants to shoot a 100-yard bull ring target. The third competition - 50-yard rifle shooting - entailed shooting the rifle on top of a cross stick and firing at a 100-yard bull ring target. Schroer placed first and Johnson placed third in this event.

"I think they were surprised by the results," she said. "Their eyes lit up when they got their medals."