International Revolver Championship Victories – Bagakis 3-Peats, Aysens Repeat
LOS OSOS, Calif. –-(Ammoland.com)- John Bagakis of Livermore, Calif. made it three in a row with his win in the Limited division this past weekend in San Luis Obispo, Calif. at the 2010 Smith & Wesson International Revolver Championships (IRC).
The Smith & Wesson shooting team member won six of the 12 stages in the match and posted a final time of 267.75, which placed him seventh overall in the match and gave Smith & Wesson one of the nine titles the team won at the IRC.
“I did poorly on two stages and gave up nine seconds with a couple shots outside the x-ring, but still managed to win some stages, including posting the best Limited score on the standards stage with its 50-yard targets. Overall, I’m happy with how I shot and certainly glad to be bringing home the title one more time,” said Bagakis.
Repeating his 2009 second place finish, just over 29 seconds behind Bagakis, was fellow Smith & Wesson team member Elliot Aysen of Thibodaux, La. Aysen won two stages in the match and posted a final time of 297.04.
Third place, for the second year in a row, went to James Austin of Fox Island, Wash. with one stage win and a time of 310.90. Moving up one spot from last year’s finish to claim fourth was another Team Smith & Wesson member, Josh Lentz of Walnutport, Penn., with one stage win and a time of 318.23. And falling to fourth this year was Brad Holt of Kingsburg, Calif. with two stage wins and a final time of 323.65.
In the women’s Limited division contest, Annette Aysen of Thibodaux, La. won the title for Team Smith & Wesson. She led the field through the entire match, winning all but one of the 12 stages and posting a final score of 347.65. She also finished 43rd overall.
“Despite being a little nervous on my first stage I had an excellent match. Without knowing where I finished, I knew coming off that last stage that I had shot a solid match and no matter where I finished, I was going to be happy. Obviously I’m really pleased it was in first place,” said Annette Aysen.
Finishing just over 53 points behind Aysen was past women’s champion and Team Apex Tactical member Lisa Farrell of Los Osos, Calif. who took second with 400.88. Farrell was the only shooter to best Aysen on any stage, topping her and the field on the third stage.
Junior shooter and Team Smith & Wesson member Molly Smith of Cambria, Calif. placed third in the Limited division with a score of 460.40 which also helped her win the Junior Limited division title.
“I shot really well but found myself having to slow down during the match so I wouldn’t give up time on any bad shots,” explained Smith.
“I’m extremely happy about having won the junior title for Team Smith & Wesson. I’m very close with several members and it was awesome to contribute to the team effort.”
Rounding out the women’s top five, Teddi Edington of Renton, Wash. paced fourth with 489.36 while Barbara Thibodaux, also of Thibodaux, La., took fifth in what was her first appearance at the IRC with 493.30.
In the senior competition Elliot Aysen’s second place finish also secured the Senior title win while Joe Guarnera of Laguna Nigel, Calif. took the Super Senior Limited crown with a time of 418.83.
“Overall I’m pleased with how I shot the match. I felt I read the stages the right way and moved through them at a good speed. My performance on the standards was not as strong as I’d like but I’m very satisfied overall,” said Elliot Aysen.
About:
Organized by the International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts (ICORE), and held at Hogue Action Pistol Range at the San Luis Obispo Sportsmen’s Association, the IRC drew more than 200 top revolver shooters, representing 22 states and six foreign nations. Titles were awarded in the Open, Limited or Retro divisions with scoring based on time and accuracy where time penalties are accrued for misses and shots outside the x-ring.
For further information on ICORE and the 19th Annual Smith & Wesson International Revolver Championships, or to find a club near you, visit www.icore.org.