Sutton, Hampton top performers at marksman regionals

CAMP PERRY – Sarah Sutton, 17, of Black Swamp Jr. Rifle in Ohio, remained the leader of the precision class during the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Three-Position Air Rifle Regional Championship after all competitors finished firing at the three designated locations: Camp Perry; Anniston, Alabama; and Sandy, Utah.

Sutton set the bar at the Camp Perry location in March with her score of 1285, a performance that no other precision competitor could match.

At last year’s regionals, Sutton made her mark as a powerful contender, finishing second overall. She also managed to snag the gold along with the rest of her Black Swamp crew at the 2014 Regional Championship, as they were named the overall precision team leaders.

The Camp Perry location at this year’s regionals seemed to house some of the most successful athletes as Caleb Lloyd, 17, of Seitzland Junior Rifle Team, Pennsylvania, held his second place position behind Sutton with a score of 1283.9, while Justin Kleinhans, 15, of Black Swamp Jr. Rifle, maintained third with a score of 1282.8.

Brian Hampton, 18, of the Charlotte Rifle and Pistol Club, North Carolina, outshot the rest of the sporter class individuals with his score of 1220.5.

Behind Hampton at the 2015 Regional event was Gabriel Palermo, 18, of Freeport High School, Illinois, who finished with a score of 1215.9. Adam McClintock, 18, of Flowing Wells JROTC, Arizona, rounded out the Top 3 with his score of 1204.9 for third.

The top overall regional teams were:

•Sporter: 1. Gulfport High School 1, Mississippi — 4359-135x; 2. Freeport High School 1, Illinois — 4349-149x; and 3. Lebanon High School JROTC 1, Oregon — 4326-153x.

• Precision: 1. Black Swamp Jr. Rifle, Ohio — 4699-319x; 2. Hardcore 4, Georgia — 4677-302x; and 3. Ashland Eagles, Ohio — 4667-298x.

Overall teams and individuals from all three regional locations will be invited to the 2015 CMP National Three-Position Air Rifle Championship from June 21 to 26 in Anniston, Alabama.