“Crush’n Clays" Charity Event Scores Again

     Once again a capacity crowd of nearly 100 shooters and another 30 volunteers and family members joined, Dave Butz, former Washington Redskin All-Pro Defensive Tackle, and member of three Super Bowl teams, at the 8th Annual St. Jude "Crush'n Clays," on June 9th.  The trapshooting charity event, which is hosted by the Virginia Shooting Sports Association and the Arlington/Fairfax IWLA Chapter in Centreville, VA, has raised $160,000 over the last eight years, to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  The Hospital is the largest pediatric research facility in America established solely for the study of catastrophic childhood diseases.
     The festivities kicked-off the prior evening with a special reception to thank all event sponsors and volunteers.  Food and refreshment were provided, compliments of the Virginia Shooting Sports Association. 
     Joining Dave Butz were former Redskin, Mark Moseley and renowned exhibition shotgun shooter John Satterwhite.  Satterwhite is no stranger to those in the shotgun sports.  He is a 12 time Medal Winner for the U.S. in World Competition and six time GOLD MEDAL winner.  He was also a member of the World Champion and World Record U.S. Skeet Team 1979.
     Mark Moseley is the only kicker in NFL history to win the Most Valuable Player Award.   Moseley left the Redskins as their all time leading scorer with 1,206 points in the middle of the 1986 season.  Mark graciously, donated an autographed  hat and helmet for the event’s silent auction.
     The day started with a trapshooting clinic by Scott Petitto, Assistant Coach of the George Mason University Trap and Skeet Team.  Bob Brino, Director of Trap & Skeet, Arlington-Fairfax Chapter donated all targets for the event.  Thanks, Bob.
     The 50 target main event consisted of 25 singles and 25 handicap targets. High overall and Lewis Class winners were presented with handsome Lucite trophies with the Crush’n Clays logo. In the Team competition honors were recognized based on the top three of four scores from each team. 
      Though the winds were gusty throughout the day, they didn’t deter competitors from posting very respectable scores.  The event championship went to John Kirksey who broke 47 out of 50 targets.  Lewis Class A went to Carl Josefson (who also shot a 47), Lewis Class B went to Joe Turner and Lewis Class C went to Ryan Sills.
     High Team, recognition went to the Piedmont Sportsmens Club which edged out the second place team by 3 targets.  Shooting on the PSC Team were VSSA’s own, Lu Charette, VSSA Executive Director and Andrea Smith VSSA Secretary.  Shotgun Sports Magazine took second place and rounding out the top three was Virginia Gun Collectors Association.
     Throughout the day, Dave Butz challenged shooters in a popular, Annie Oakley Event. Dozens took the challenge and which also drew a large number of spectators. 
      Competitors received event T-shirts, goodie bags, ammunition, door prizes, refreshments and lunch from Everfresh and Rick Kohne of the Arlington- Fairfax IWLA. 
     St. Jude Children's Research Hospital located in Memphis, TN was established in 1962 solely for the study of childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases.  Treatments developed at the hospital have brought survival rates for childhood cancers up from less than 20 percent to better than 60 percent.  More than 121 children from Virginia have been treated at St. Jude, with countless others benefiting from its research.  The Hospital is non-sectarian and open to children without regard to race, religion, creed or financial status.
     Thank go to the event sponsors, supporters and volunteers especially, the National Rifle Association, Atlantic Healthcare Inc., Sills Car Wash, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Vienna Septic Tank Services, Shotgun Sports magazine, the Virginia Shooting Sports Association and Everfresh.  Special thanks go to the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter of the IWLA for their support included facilities, targets and volunteers.  Their support was critical to the event’s success.