Sacramento Native Michael J. Flores Captures 2011 California Olympic Trap Championship
South El Monte, CA –-(Ammoland.com)- The 2011 California Olympic Trap Championships concluded this past weekend in South El Monte, California at Triple B’s Shooting Complex.
California shooters from across the state came to southern California to compete for the California International Clay Target Association’s (CICSTA) annual championship.
After the first day of competition, USA Jr. Olympic team member Michael J. Flores of Sacramento, Chuck Dietl (2010 Champion) of Torrance California, and USA Shooting Team member Susan Sledge of El Cajon were all tied at 67 targets apiece.
The second day of shooting concluded with Flores and Dietl tied at 112 targets and Sledge dropping to 110 despite finishing with a perfect 25 on her last round. The top six shooters went into the finals round where they would be limited to one shot at targets traveling in excess of 65 miles per hour. The remaining three shooters rounding out the field were Logan Mountain of Palmdale at 105, Chris Swasey of Stockton 104 and Stephanie Martinago of Roseville 102.
When the final shot was fired in the round, Flores had crushed 24 targets out of 25, cruising to a 5 target lead and his second State Championship.
Flores said “My hats off to Chuck Dietl, Susan and the rest of the field for an exciting final, I am glad to have the title back after losing in last year’s final, I have had a lot to think about during the year and learned a lot about my shooting strengths and weaknesses, now it’s on to the Junior Nationals.”
Flores previously won the State Championship in 2009 and the State Junior Title in 2010. Flores just returned from the 2011 Canadian National Championships in Toronto Canada where he placed 4th overall and secured his second Canadian Junior Championship.
California Outdoor Heritage Alliance president and supporter Bill Gaines said “We are glad to have such a good shooting ambassador representing California here and abroad, Michael continues to demonstrate how important it is to support our youth in the great outdoors.”
Flores now moves on to Colorado Springs, Colorado where he will compete in the Scholastic Clay Target and USA National Junior Olympic trap Championship’s at the end of July. In September he will start the first of two matches that will select the Olympic team members for the 2012 London Games.
To learn more about Michael Flores and follow his progress, visit his web site at www.MJFshooting.com