Crush'n Clays Event Breaks Attendance Record

The 10th annual Crush’n Clays had a record breaking attendance! The event was not only sold-out, but actually over capacity with 119 shooters. This total exceeds our previous record total by more than 20 shooters! Team entries we sold out two week in advance of the event. We also had a record breaking number of participants in the Annie Oakley event. Even more astonishing, with such a large crowd, the event ran on schedule with no delays. This is a direct result of the hard working range officers working the fields, who kept everything on schedule.

The event which is jointly sponsored by the Arlington/Fairfax IWLA Chapter and the Virginia Shooting Sports Association has raised $190,000 over that last ten years, to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The day started with a trapshooting clinic under the excellent tutelage of Bob Brino Director of Trap & Skeet. Arlington – Fairfax IWLA. A big thanks goes to Bob who donated the targets. With over 7,000 targets shot, the cost of the targets was nearly $600.

A special participant was Tom Ridenour. Several years ago, Tom was a member of the Arlington-Fairfax IWLA Scholastic Clay Target Trap Team. He recently returned from a tour in Iraq with the National Guard where he was injured in an IED blast in February, but fortunately he has recovered. We’re glad to have him home. Tom is the son of Bill Ridenour, a Range Safety Officer at the Skeet and Trap Range.

The 2008 Crush’n Clays event championship went to Lu Charette, VSSA’s own Executive Director. The class champions included; J.R. Wingfield Class A Champion, Dominck Casciano Jr. (and Crush’ Clays Sponsor) Class B Champion, Buddy Colby, Class C Champion and Joe Primerano Class D Champion.

High Team, recognition went once again to Piedmont Sportsman’s Club. Shooting on the PSC Team were Lu Charette, Andrea Smith, J.R. Wingfield and Mark Charette. Second place went to Dave Wabeke’s Team from the Arlington-Fairfax IWLA and third place went to Dan Burrer’s Team also of the Arlington-Fairfax IWLA.

Crush’n Clays was the first event of its type when it was launched in 1999. Since then many other similar events have been organized nationwide to benefit St. Jude’s, the Ronald McDonald House and other charities.

Competitors received event T-shirts, ammunition, refreshments from Everfresh and lunch prepared by Rick Kohne of the Arlington- Fairfax IWLA.

Thank go to the event sponsors, supporters and volunteers especially, the National Rifle Association, Atlantic Healthcare Inc., the Virginia Shooting Sports Association and Everfresh. Special thanks go to the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter of the IWLA for their support including facilities, targets and volunteers. Their support was critical to the event’s success.