US Open Atlatl Championships
by Douglas Bassett, last updated June 2016
The US Open Atlatl Championships is conducted under the same rules as the ISAC but the target is the standard 122cm long range colored archery target. The other difference is that the youth shoot at 10M and 15M. The idea is that the competition would move around the country to be conducted at one of the larger event venues and for now it coincides with the annual meeting of the World Atlatl Association. A small entrance fee is gathered to cover the cost of trophies and targets. So thinking ahead, plans are underway for Washington in 2017.
This year, Meadowcroft Rockshelter – Avella, PA, 16-18 June,the top five qualifying scores from Thursday thru Saturday met for a sudden death throw-off on Saturday afternoon with trophies being awarded to the top three in each division. Twenty-five people (15 men, 8 women & 1 youth) from 11 states made 51 entries on 9 flights; the final results(each individual’s qualifying score and home state in parentheses) are below. The record for each division is also noted from The New York Atlatl Association’s inaugural year of statistics for this event in 2010 as well as the 2010 - 2012 throw-off results.
The 2015 Open was held at Cahokia World Heritage Site, IL – 10-12 September, where thirty-one people (19 men, 9 women & 3 youth) from 8 states made 39 entries on 9 flights. Unfortunately conditions did not allow for the sudden death throw-off on Saturday afternoon so awards were given according to qualifying scores.
The 2014 Open was not held due to inadequate conditions at the World meeting venue.
The 2013 Open was held at Hammonasset Beach, CT – 3-5 October, where twenty-seven people (10 men, 10 women & 7 youth) from 8 states made 43 entries on 8 flights.
The 2012 Open was held at Fond du Lac, WI – 12-14 July, where twenty-seven people (18 men, 6 women & 3 youth) from 14 states made 43 entries on 10 flights.
The 2011 Open was held at Valley of Fire, NV – 25-27 March, where thirty people (20 men, 7 women & 3 youth) from 14 states made 50 entries on 10 flights.
The first US Open Atlatl Championships were held as the “Nationals” at Letchworth State Park, NY – 26-28 August 2010. It was filmed by a Japanese crew to be aired on their public television in 2012. In 2010, forty-four people (26 men, 12 women & 6 youth)from 13 states made 72 entries on 16 flights.
The idea of a national competition was brought forward by Ken Faucher (NH) in 2009 and forged by Scott VanArsdale (NY), WAA president at the time, and implemented by Douglas Bassett (NY) in 2010. The three of them remain as the steering body with Douglas off and running.
Youth record is 85-XMarlin Bassett(11)Jim’s Pro Shop – Shortsville, NY1Mar 14
2016
1Marlin Bassett (84, age 13, NY)84
20132015
1Marlin Bassett (75, age 10, NY) 751Alex Foster(44, age 12, MO)44
2Josh Lunn (29, age 14, CT) 432Izzy Foster (9, age 10, MO) 9
3Isaac McKay (27, age 14, CT)353Cakee Koehler (6, age 6, MO) 6
4Erik Lazor (35, age 14, CT)21
5Michael Rossi (34, age 14, CT)16
20122011
1Ben Struzynski (46, age15, WI) 731Wolf Sweikert(age 9, NV)
2Connor Thompson (5, age 8, WI) 282Nicolas Guymon (age 11, CA)
3Megan Thompson (12, age 11, WI)143Anushka Guymon (age 9, CA)
[Wolf’s two sisters, who both got plaques in the 3-D Round,
declined to enter so as to assure their brother a trophy win
in the U.S. Open]
2010
1Marlin Bassett (44, age 7, NY)65
2Austin Fisher (24, age 13, NY) 58-X
3Amihan Tindongan (35, age 13, OH)36
4Dakota Chaffee (14, age 13, NY)30
5Malaya Tindongan (15, age 9, OH)15
[Hunter Miller (58, age 11, PA) - could not stay for finals]
Photographs from the inaugural year of the Finals at Letchworth State Park, 2010
Women record is75Bonnie SortoreLetchworth State Park, NY16Sept12
2016
1Lori Majorsky (65, PA)61
2Nisa Holbrook (45, WV)40
3Debbie Andrews (48, OH)36-X
4Anita Lukes (65, IN)36
5Courtney Birkett (34, VA)35
20132015
1JoAnne Fogelman (54, PA)521JoAnne Fogelman (54, PA)54
2Lori Majorsky (67, PA)502Mary Riemersma (53-X, WI)53-X
3Sue Mercer (48, NY)443Nisa Holbrook(53, WV)53
4Margie Takoch (41, OH)364Lori Majorsky(51, PA)51
5Courtney Birkett (52, VA)345Anita Lukes (48, IN)48
20122011
1Kerry Opel (20, IA)431JoAnne Fogelman (55, PA)52
2Mary Riemersma (41, WI)362Lori Majorsky (62, PA)49
3Sue Mercer (25, NY)323Margie Takoch (49, OH)42
4Lori Majorsky (51, PA)244Mary Riemersma (31, WI)18
5Anita Lukes (38, IN)14 [Carey McCormack (33, CA) did not throw in finals]
2010
1Melissa Dildine (73X, PA)69
2Bonnie Sortore (66, NY)61
3JoAnne Fogelman (57, PA)52
4Debbie Andrews (39, OH)42
5Sue Mercer (39, NY)21
Menrecord is93-2XDouglas BassettLetchworth St. Pk., NY25May14
2016
1Jon Wood (80, MO)82
2Ben Struzynski (79-X, WI)78
3Douglas Bassett (82, NY)77
4Tim Whaley (76, NC)58
5Mamerto Tindongan (70, OH)49
20132015
1Douglas Bassett (85-X, NY)711Douglas Bassett (83, NY)83
2Gary Fogelman (79, PA)702Jerry Nevins (82, MO)82
3Mamerto Tindongan (70, OH)643Jon Wood (82, MO)82
4Joe Hopkins (67-X, CT)614Charles Swanson (79, TN)79
5Andy Majorsky (70, PA)585Ben Struzynski(79, WI)79
20122011
1Douglas Bassett (77, NY)791Douglas Bassett (72, NY)81
2David Sheppard (69-X, WY)632Doug Majorsky (71, CA)79
3Andy Majorsky (69, PA)603Bob Kitch (67, WA)73
4Jon Wood(68, MO)574Tom Mills (70, CA)67
5John Whittaker (72, IA)55-X5Gary Fogelman (68, PA)54
2010
1Douglas Bassett (77, NY) 88-X
2Mamerto Tindongan (84, OH)74
3Jack Rowe (80, PA)63
4Ryan Grohsmeyer (81, MD)62
5 Greg Maurer (75, VT)61
NationalRecords by State (27 states, records start with 2010)
ScoreNameStateyear
Men (23)
(Distances 15 & 20 meters)
93-2XDouglas BassettNY2014
87Mike GlennOH2011
83Jack RowePA2011
82Jerry NevinsMO2015
81Ryan GrohsmeyerMD2010
79-XBen StruzynskiWI2016
79Doug MajorskyCA2011
79Charles SwansonTN2015
77Greg MaurerVT2011
76Tim WhaleyNC2016
73Bob KitchWA2011
ScoreNameStateyear
72John WhittakerIA2012
70Randy WhaleyWV2013
69-XDavid SheppardWY2012
67-XKen FaucherNH2010
67-XJoe HopkinsCT2013
61Gary SipilaNJ2012
54Frank LukesIN2016
52Troy HelmickMT2011
37Bo BuchertAZ2011
33Dereck BrockwayNV2011
11Greg WestMI2011
9John LambingMN2012
ScoreNameStateyear
Women (17)
(Distances 15 & 20 meters)
75Bonnie SortoreNY2012
73-XMelissa DildinePA2010
65Anita LukesIN2016
54-XDebbie AndrewsOH2011
54Nisa HolbrookWV2015
53-XMary RiemersmaWI2015
52Courtney BirkettVA2013
43Kerry OpelIA2012
34Andy HeldMO2015
33Carey McCormackCA2011
33Nati DelsonNV2015
32Diane ListerTX2011
30Regina DodsonWY2010
30Linda NolfCT2013
24Leslie MassonMA2013
17Jen LehrNJ2010
0Savannah SpradlinID2011
ScoreNameStateyear
Youth (10)
(Distances 1015 meters)
85-XMarlin Bassett (11)NY2014
73Ben Struzynski (15)WI2012
58Hunter Miller (11)PA2010
44Alex Foster (12)MO2015
43Josh Lunn (14)CT2013
39Tyler Meadows (9)MD2010
37Matthew Ciarapica (14)WV2013
36Amihan Tindongan (13)OH2010
7Wolf Sweikert (9)NV2011
4Nicolas Guymon (11)CA2011
States Ranked by Combination of M, W & Y
NY (score 3), PA (8), OH (14), WI (14), MO (17),
WV (25), CA (27), MD (28), IA (31), IN (32), CT (35),
TN (37), WY (38),VT (38),WA (39), NC (39), NV (41),VA (42), NH (44), NJ (44),TX (47), MT (48), AZ (49),
MA (50),MI (51), MN (52), ID (52).
NationalRecords(Of the 183 entrants so far, 77 peoplehave met the minimums as of June 2016, recordsstart with 2010)
Also noted are the scores that are thrown with the opposite hand as part of the NYAA competitions
Men(Distances 15 & 20 meters)(47 with minimum score of 60)
ScoreNameStateHometownDateLocation
93-2XDouglas BassettNYWarsaw25May2014Spearfishing – Letchworth St Pk, NY
(73 Opposite-handed) 2May2015Sortore Farm – Friendship, NY
(77-X Glow stick at night) 20Jun2015Meadowcroft – Avella, PA
87Mike GlennOHLucasville14Aug2011Albany Riding Club, OH
84Mamerto TindonganOHAlbany28Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY
(67-X Opposite-handed) 9Aug2013Steve’s Dam – Pomeroy, OH
83Jack RowePASayre 9Sep2012Tyoga Shoot-off – Elmira, NY
(31 Opposite-handed) 22July2011Green Flats – Hancock, NY
82Jerry NevinsMOJefferson City11Sept2015WAA Meeting – Cahokia, IL
82Jon WoodMOMadison12Sept2015WAA Meeting – Cahokia, IL
81Ryan GrohsmeyerMDCalloway28Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY
(16 Opposite-handed) 18 Sep2010Small Game Derby – Letchworth SP, NY
81Gary FogelmanPATurbotville23Aug2012Eastern Seaboard – Letchworth S.P., NY
(65 Opposite-handed) 3Jun2011Dairy Festival – Cuba, NY
79-XMike WatersNYHoward10Apr2010Horse Arena Shoot – Friendship, NY
(52 Opposite-handed) 30 May2010Spearfishing – Letchworth SP, NY
79-XRay StrischekOHAthens10Aug2014Albany Fairgrounds, OH
(17 Opposite-handed) 10Aug2014Albany Fairgrounds, OH
79-XBen Struzynski WIOgdensburg16June2016WAA Meeting – Meadowcroft - Avella, PA
79Doug MajorskyCASan Diego26Mar2011WAA Meeting – Valley of Fire, NV
79Charles SwansonTNKnoxville10Sept2015WAA Meeting – Cahokia, IL
78-XScott VanArsdaleNYOtego21July2011Green Flats – Hancock, NY
(25 Opposite-handed) 24 Apr2010Earthday – Elmira, NY
78Ray StrischekOHAthens 8 Oct2011Chief Logan Festival, OH
(41 Opposite-handed) 17July2011Flint Ridge, OH
78Jim BaggNYCanastota 4 July2013Primitive Summer Gathering – Oxford, NY
77Greg MaurerVTVergennes12Mar2011Jim’s Pro Shop – Shortsville, NY
(18 Opposite-handed)30Apr2011Earthday Gathering – Elmira, NY
76-XAustin FisherNYGrand Island11Jan2014Jim’s Pro Shop – Shortsville, NY
76Tim WhaleyNCWinston Salem18June2016WAA Meeting – Meadowcroft - Avella, PA
73Andy MajorskyPADerry27Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY
(18 Opposite-handed) 18Jun2011Meadowcroft – Avella, PA
73Bob KitchWAHusum26Mar2011WAA Meeting – Valley of Fire, NV
73Gary SipilaNJHewitt22Aug2014Eastern Seaboard – Letchworth S.P., NY
72John WhittakerIAGrinnell13 July2012WAA Meeting – Fond du Lac, WI
70-XLenny RiemersmaWICascade27Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY
70-XAllen TindonganVAChesapeake14Aug2011Albany Riding Club, OH
70Tom MillsCAPasadena26Mar2011WAA Meeting – Valley of Fire, NV
70Randy WhaleyWVLeon22Jun2013Athens Public Library, OH
(62 Opposite-handed) 14July2013Flint Ridge, OH
(60 Glow stick at night)20Jun2015Meadowcroft – Avella, PA
70Gary NolfCTWestbrook17May2014Jersey Rock & Shoot – Washington, NJ
(17 Opposite-handed) 4May2013Fogelman’s – Turbotville, PA
69-XDavid SheppardWYCheyenne13 July2012WAA Meeting – Fond du Lac, WI
(27 Opposite-handed) 12July2012WAA Meeting – Fond du Lac, WI
69Dave SantosNYSpencer 6Sep2014Tyoga Shoot-off – Elmira, NY
(23 Opposite-handed) 11Oct2015Pumpkin Fest – Candor, NY
68Steve BarnettOHPomeroy11Aug2012Albany Riding Club – Albany, OH
67-XKen FaucherNHSomersworth27Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY
(24 Opposite-handed) 22July2011Green Flats – Hancock, NY
67-XJoe HopkinsCTGuilford 5Oct2013WAA Meeting – Hammonasset Beach, CT
67Jim FisherNYGrand Island 3Nov2012Jim’s Pro Shop – Shortsville, NY
66-XBob BronishNJWashington22May2011Jersey Rock & Shoot – Washington, NJ
(9 Opposite-handed) 21May2011Jersey Rock & Shoot – Washington, NJ
66Ray MaddenMOJoplin26Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY
66Tom Goble Sr.NYElmira11Sep2010Tyoga Shoot-off – Elmira, NY
(15 Opposite-handed) 10Sep2011Tyoga Shoot-off – Elmira, NY
66Russell RichardWYCheyenne25Mar2011WAA Meeting – Valley of Fire, NV
65Wayne WellsNYCameron12Jun2010Atlatls-in-Action – Elmira, NY
(23 Opposite-handed) 30 May2010Spearfishing – Letchworth St Pk, NY
65Brian ManningNYWesttown20May 2012Jersey Rock & Shoot – Washington, NJ
(8 Opposite-handed) 30Apr2011Earthday Gathering – Elmira, NY
65Doug MillerWIWausau14 July2012WAA Meeting – Fond du Lac, WI
64-XSteven SpencerMOTrenton11Sept2015WAA Meeting – Cahokia, IL
63Michael FrankVAWoodbridge21May2011Jersey Rock & Shoot – Washington, NJ
(11 Opposite-handed) 21May2011Jersey Rock & Shoot – Washington, NJ
62Greg BessetteNYFriendship28Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY
61Mike AlbergoNYSea Cliff26Aug2011Eastern Seaboard – Letchworth SP, NY
(1 Opposite-handed)26Aug2011Eastern Seaboard – Letchworth SP, NY
60Mark BrackenPASaegertown25Jun2011Terry Keefer Mem – Bald Eagle, PA
60Mike MosherCT Enfield 5Oct2013WAA Meeting – Hammonasset Beach, CT
Women(Distances 15 & 20 meters) (15 with minimum score of 40)
ScoreNameStateHomeDateLocation
75Bonnie SortoreNYFriendship16Sep2012Small Game Derby – Letchworth S.P., NY
(14 Opposite-handed) 22Sep2013Small Game Derby – Letchworth S. P., NY
73-XMelissa DildinePASayre26Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY
(1 Opposite-handed) 7May2011Fogelman’s – Turbotville, PA
67JoAnne FogelmanPATurbotville23Aug2012Eastern Seaboard – Letchworth S.P., NY
67Lori MajorskyPADerry 5Oct2013WAA Meeting – Hammonasset Beach, CT
(16 Opposite-handed) 17July2011Flint Ridge, OH
65Anita LukesINIndianapolis17June2016WAA Meeting – Meadowcroft - Avella, PA
56Sue MercerNYAttica11Apr2010Horse Arena Shoot – Friendship, NY
(18 Opposite-handed) 11 Apr2010Horse Arena Shoot – Friendship, NY
54-XDebbie AndrewsOHAlbany29Oct2011R.O.A.R. - Zaleski, OH
(5 Opposite-handed) 2Oct2010Atwood Lake, OH
53-XMary RiemersmaWICascade12Sept2015WAA Meeting – Cahokia, IL
53Nisa HolbrookWVCharleston12Sept2015WAA Meeting – Cahokia, IL
(17 Opposite-handed)Charleston 8Aug2014Steve’s Dam - Pomeroy, OH
(47 Glow stick at night)20Jun2015Meadowcroft – Avella, PA
52Courtney BirkettVAWilliamsburg 5Oct2013WAA Meeting – Hammonasset Beach, CT
52Shannon SantosNYSpencer 6Sep2014Tyoga Shoot-off – Elmira, NY
(1 Opposite-handed) 11Oct2015Pumpkin Fest – Candor, NY
49Margie TakochOHWintersville26Mar2011WAA Meeting – Valley of Fire, NV
46Linda BrundageNYFriendship28May2011Spearfishing – Letchworth SP, NY
43Gizzy RowePASayre10Sep2011Tyoga Shoot-off – Elmira, NY
(2 Opposite-handed) 21 Apr2012Earthday – Elmira, NY
43Kerry OpelIAFayette14 July2012WAA Meeting –Fond du Lac, WI
Youth(Distances 1015 meters) (15 with minimum score of 30)
ScoreNameStateHomeDateLocation
85-XMarlin Bassett (11)NYWarsaw 1Mar2014Jim’s Pro Shop – Shortsville, NY
(29 Opposite-handed (11)) 3 May2014Sortore Farm – Friendship, NY
(28 Glow stick at night (12)) 20Jun2015Meadowcroft – Avella, PA
73Ben Struzynski (15)WIOgdensburg14 July2012WAA Meeting – Fond du Lac, WI
68-XAustin Fisher (15)NYGrand Island23Aug2012Eastern Seaboard – Letchworth S.P., NY
58Hunter Miller (11)PABrockway26Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY
49Colin Lawrence (14)NYWilliamsville25 Jun2011Terry Keefer Mem – Bald Eagle, PA
44Alex Foster (12)MOSedgewickville12Sept2015WAA Meeting – Cahokia, IL
43Josh Lunn (14)CTMadison 5Oct2013WAA Meeting – Hammonasset Beach, CT
39Tyler Meadows (9)MDHuntingtown25Jun2010Terry Keefer Mem – Bald Eagle, PA
(5 Opposite-handed) 25 Jun2010Terry Keefer Mem – Bald Eagle, PA
37Matthew Ciarapica (14)WVLeon22June2013Athens Public Library, OH
(7 Opposite-handed)22June2013Athens Public Library, OH
36Amihan Tindongan (13)OHAlbany28Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY
35Erik Lazor (14)CTMadison 5Oct2013WAA Meeting – Hammonasset Beach, CT
35Isaac McKay (14)CTMadison 5Oct2013WAA Meeting – Hammonasset Beach, CT
34Lance Strickland (10)NYSpencer 9Jun2013Atlatls-in-Action – Elmira, NY
34Michael Rossi (14)CTMadison 5Oct2013WAA Meeting – Hammonasset Beach, CT
30Dakota Chaffee (13)NYWellsville28Aug2010WAA Meeting – Letchworth SP, NY