Summer Biathlon Gives Athletes
a 'Shot' at a Popular Sport

BY FRANK GAVAL

NESCOPECK, PA--With two divisions and three race categories, the 14th Nescopeck Summer Biathlon was held at the Nescopeck Hunting and Rifle Club on July 28. Under the direction of the newly formed Pennsylvania Biathlon Club, this event has drawn over 600 participants, in what is now an up-and-coming sport. One of 60 races in the U.S., the Summer Biathlon combines rifle marksmanship with running. At Nescopeck there were two divisions: Sport and Match. Sport involved a 5K run with two shooting stops and a 50M penalty loop. The Match class for men was a 6K run with shooting twice and a 100M penalty loop. The women's Match race is 4K.

With the National Championships in Syracuse, NY, in October, many of the Pennsylvania competitors used the Nescopeck race to get that needed practice. Many who competed at Nescopeck will be headed to the Nationals.

In the Sport class, Paul Riley, of Bloomsburg, set a new course record of 18:44 just seconds ahead of Francis Lambert, of Dushore, who finished second in 18:55. Paul shot 0 and 1, while Francis was the same hitting all targets prone, missing one standing. Each competitor shoots five shots at each stop.

The women's Sport class was won by Ann Sick, of Millville. She ran 25:08 and shot 2 and 3. Ann's husband, Scott, finished third in the Sport with 21:43 (1 and 1).

Other Sport winners included Masters Earle Moore and Jil Leestma; 2nd woman Angela Greasen and Demetra Hazatones, third for the women.

In the male Match class, former National team member and St. Francis College coach, Doug Hoover, shot clean prone. He ran 22:53, just six seconds off the course record. Gary Stiner edged Ray Ricke for second; their times were 27:28 and 27:34, respectively. Top Masters went to Ed Myers in 28:53.

The women's Match class saw Boston resident Katie Wittenberg run 21:14, a course record for the 4K event. She missed 4 and 3 shooting. Lucie Bergeyova and Susan Myers finished second and third, respectively. Deb Keegan was the top Masters.

The Nescopeck Summer Biathlon, held the last Saturday in April and July, is one of the best events of its kind on the East Coast. Beginners are always welcome. Instruction and weapons are provided at the prerace clinic. Contact the Pennsylvania Biathlon Club at (570) 788-4219 or the U.S. Biathlon Association at 1-(800)-BIATHLON for more information.

MALE

Match

Overall

1. Doug Hoover 22:53
2. Gary Stiner 27:28
3. Ray Ricke 27:34
4. Todd Bergey 30:32
5. Andy Keegan 31:56
6. Walt Klingerman 32:14
7. Frank Gaval 32:22

Masters

1. Ed Myers 28:53

Sport

Overall

1. Paul Riley 18:44
2. Francis Lambert 18:55
3. Scott Sick 21:43

Masters

1. Earle Moore 22:00

19 and Under

1. Brady Cillo 27:35
2. Long Tran 33:11

20-29

1. Carl Hildebrant 26:41
2. Scott Osborne 29:28
3. Damian Smith 30:12

30-39

1. Francis Donovan 22:40
2. Ed Helfrick 23:52
3. Don Barshinger 25:06

40-49

1. Paul Leestma 22:15
2. Alan Anderson 23:53
3. Duane Heverly 25:23

50-59

1. Paul Noll 25:07
2. Robert Rodgers 25:19
3. Louis Blaum 28:30

60 and Over

1. Tom Wozniak 29:55
2. Ray Stiner 32:30
3. Doug Relyea 34:38
4. Dick Goldberg 38:45

FEMALE

Match

Overall

1. Katie Wittenberg 21:14
2. Lucie Bergeyova 25:32
3. Susan Myers 34:36

Masters

1. Deb Keegan 41:49

Sport

Overall

1. Ann Sick 25:08
2. Angela Greaser 25:18
3. Demetra Hazatones 27:45

Masters

1. Jil Leestma 31:01

19 and Under

1. Sheena Bohensky 32:54

20-29

1. Karen Osbourne 27:54
2. Christina Bohensky 28:53
3. Amy Des Garennes 31:10
4. Korie Dewire 28:00

30-39

1. Holly Ricke 34:14

40-49

1. Carmella DiPippa 29:55
2. Gail Linn 31:08
3. Teresa Rhodes 43:50

50 and Over

1. Nancy Des Garennes 38:40