(VELPEN) – Sporting clay teams representing Monroe and Lawrence counties took top honors at this fall’s Sheriffs’ Shotgun Shoot, an annual fundraiser for firearm safety programs at the new Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch now under development in West Central Indiana.
First place went to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, which was represented by department personnel and community leaders. This included Tracy Cooksey, Ryan Davis, Terry Davis, Michael Miller, Kody Niese and Ryan Niese.
Kody Niese of the Monroe County team also scored as top shooter, hitting 98 of 100 clay targets. Niese outscored more than 120 sportsmen from teams statewide.
Overall, Monroe County’s six-man team hit 535 of 600 targets.
Lawrence County’s team followed closely. Don Eberman, Dustin Gabhart, Ben Miller, Joshua Rhoades, Gregg Taylor and Brian Waldbeiser hit 523 targets, with Waldbeiser coming in as first runner-up top shooter with 93 of 100 clay targets.
Three successful Indiana-based family-owned businesses – OFS, Ardizzone Enterprises, and Garmong Construction Services – hosted the third annual sporting clay tournament to benefit the Youth Ranch for future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids, young witnesses and victims of crime.
Pauly Jail Building Co., RQAW Corporation and TPC Mechanical co-host the fundraiser each year with Ardizzone, Garmong and OFS.
“Proceeds from our 3rd Annual Sheriffs’ Shotgun Shoot will go toward the development and operation of our new Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch for teens statewide,” said former Marion County Sheriff John Layton, ISYR board president. “Part of our academy’s curriculum will focus on safe firearm storage and safe hunting. We are grateful for our annual hosts and co-hosts who step forward year after year to join ranks with us.”
Teams and sponsors are needed for next year’s Sheriffs’ Shotgun Shoot, which is scheduled to be hosted on May 7 at OFS’ Cool Springs Education Center located in Velpen, Ind., between Huntingburg and Jasper.
For more information on the 2020 Sheriffs’ Shotgun Shoot, the Youth Ranch or to donate, please call toll-free 833-IN-RANCH.
