The Minuteman Sportsmen's Club of Billerica, MA was host to over 60 shooters competing in the annual State Skeet Championships on August 27-29, 2004. Campers and RVs began roaring onto the premises Thursday as many prepared to settle in to what would become a memorable weekend with wonderful targets, great Referees, fantastic shooting and hot, hot weather.

Friday's Doubles was only the second registered Doubles event for young shooter Chris Markos, but you'd hardly know it as he streaked his way to the finish dropping only one bird! His lone 99 secured him Runner Up, bested by the event's only 100 shot by John Dyson. Readers may remember John Dyson as he made his registered debut at the 2003 Mass. State Shoot at Ludlow Fish & Game when he won Runner Up in the 20 Gauge. Recently John won the 28 Gauge Event at the 2004 MMSC 'Classic.' Class winners include Tony Viscariello AAA, John 'Beaver' Mello AA, Don Cossette A, Jay Clare B, Tom Forrest C, and young Junior shooter David Kamp D 1st. Jessica King, a new resident in the State, won LYCH.

Five shooters endured severe heat and humidity to post perfect 100s in the 12 Gauge event: Don Cossette (MSSA president), Matt Kanavos, Marshall Steinbeck, John Mello and Lou Campedelli. Dozens of spectators lined up to watch the shoot-offs, and after the first box, only two were left standing: Mello and Campedelli. Campedelli hung on to win his first 12 Gauge championship. Class winners include Marshall Steinbeck AAA, Don Cossette AA, Russ Lebel A, Bill Batty B, Mike Cochrane C, Craig Espenhain D, and David Kamp E 1st. The highly coveted Five Man Team Event was won by the team of Campedelli, Parisis, Makiver, Wiedergott and Kanavos. Of note here is that Andy Parisis joined this team just minutes prior to the event after a last minute squad cancellation. This was Andy's first ever registered 12 Gauge event, and the butterflies were flying. Straight after the first round, Andy smashed through the second round and ran his first 50! Then, when a 75 seemed assured, a high six on the pair slipped through. However, Andy stayed the course, kept his focus and ran the last round to post a brilliant 99!

The 20 Gauge event shoot-offs greeted six shooters with perfect scores: Dick Kmiec, Mike Lombardy, Matt Kanavos, Angelo Troisi, Marshall Steinbeck and Lou Campedelli. One by one they left the field until only Kmiec and Campedelli remained. In the end, experience overcame youth, as Dick Kmiec added another Champion's bowl to his vast collection. Class winners include Marshall Steinbeck AAA, Mike Lombardy AA, Tom O'Donnell A, John Wieland B, Mike Cochrane C, and David Kamp D 1st.

The Awards Banquet Saturday evening was a wonderful time, featuring a delicious catered gourmet meal by renowned chef Mary Adams. Bill Lawson was inducted into the MSSA Hall of Fame and George Morse was presented with the MSSA Recognition award for 50 years of service supporting Massachusetts skeet. Bill Lawson's wife, daughters and their families were present as was Paul Moschella, a former state resident who made a rare guest appearance flying in from Fort Myers, Fl, to witness these two gentlemen's' night of honor. "I wouldn't have missed this night for all the four-bys in the world," claimed Moschella. "These two guys are two very special people." Angie, our lovely bartender, had fears of an alcohol shortage during the evening's festivities, but fortunately we just made it. "One more martini request by Tom Forrest would have run us dry," she said.

Groggy eyes were on the fields by 9:00AM Sunday as the 28 Gauge event kicked off. The temperatures were a little cooler and shooters did well keeping themselves hydrated with plenty of water. Four shooters were able to keep it together with 100's: Jim DiMauro, Dan Harple, Dick Kmiec and Lou Campedelli. For the second time this week-end (and for the second year in a row) Campedelli would emerge as the gun Champion, but only after Jim DiMauro gave him a serious run for his money. "Jim's a pit bull when you're out there one on one with him in a shoot-off," said an exhausted Campedelli. "I just got lucky." Class winners include Dick Kmiec AAA, John Soares AA, Dan Harple A, Dick Lovejoy B, James Daigle C, and Mike Onnembo just edging out Junior David Kamp for D 1st.

Good things happen to good people and that's what happened to Massapoag's own Ken Morris who ran his first ever 100 in the .410 event. With his wife Karen and their four children looking on, Ken strung together the elusive .410 straight after many 99's over the years. As Ken returned to the clubhouse proudly sporting his new shot filled hat, he excitedly learned that his score stood alone. Twelve years after winning his first State Championship in the 28 Gauge event, Ken had done it again! Congratulations! Junior Matt Marcin had to earn his Runner-Up bowl in a fierce shoot-off against John Mello who settled for AAA 1st. Additional class winners include John Dyson AA, Jack Makiver A, Ralph Newman B, Bill Knight C, and Mike Onnembo D 1st.

1993 was the last year a 400x400 was shot at the State Shoot (Dick Kmiec), and many shooters Sunday afternoon anticipated 2004 would boast another as Lou Campedelli was 300x300 going into the .410 event. His next closest competitor was perennial All-American John 'Beaver' Mello, whom the previous year won the HOA Championship edging out Campedelli by one bird. This year, however, would be different. Destiny was calling. History was soon to be made. Even the birds took roost to watch this momentous event. But wait! Hold on! There goes a low five and a low five option. Oh well. 365 days until the next State Shoot.

History does repeat itself and this year John Mello (397) claimed the HOA prize & SUCH by one bird over Runner-Up Lou Campedelli. Class winners include Matt Marcin AAA & JRCH, Jack Makiver AA, Matt Kanavos A & TSCH, Norman LaFlamme B, James Daigle C, and David Kamp D 1st, part of the three man Kamp squad from Cape Cod including brothers Mark and Andrew. Dick Kmiec won SSCH, Russ Lebel SRCH, George Morse VTCH, Jessica King LYCH and John Mello & John Dyson 2M11.

Many thanks as always to the people that ran the shoot, including Bill Batty, Russ Lebel, Fritz Wiedergott, George Morse, Art Zonghetti, Don Cossette, Lou Campedelli, and, as always, Dick Haskins and his staff of professional referees.