Kupcake Karole and Her First 100 Straight

[straightaway]

The date was September 2, 2023. The place was the Mebane Senior Center (Buckhorn Gun Club) The event was 100 singles targets.

The results, Karole Miller’s very first 100 straight in Singles! She accomplished this feat with me, Joe Nalley and Darvin Cornett squadded with her to be first hand witness to her every shot and every broken target.

Previous to this momentous occasion, Karole had been shooting right along. She was breaking solid scores, mid to upper 90s with some very good outings in Big 50 events thrown in as well.

Conditions were perfect for good scores. Clear, Carolina blue skies, light winds and shorts and T shirt temperatures.
We took the line when called and the show began.

I was Lead Off with Karole on 2, Joe on 4 and Darvin on 5. We had all shot together before so this was a pretty comfortable squad as we were all familiar with each other’s quirks, habits and shooting styles.

Karole’s favorite station is not post 1, where she was finishing.

I don’t remember the reason that husband John didn’t shoot singles that day, but, he became part of the entertainment that unfolded.

The only shooter’s trap by trap scores that I can recall of course are Karole’s. The rest of us posed no threat to her. What we did do was support her by taking our respective turns and getting out of the way.

It had started to warm up as the round progressed. What she did exceptionally well was take her time when she got to 1. She would pause, towel the sweat from her brow and hands, get set then signal that she was ready. She did not call for a single target that she was not ready for!

As we’ve often seen, when someone is on track for a milestone score several people on site somehow become aware and a silent audience gathers in vantage points to watch and root for their fellow shooter.

Hubby Johnathan was no exception, only he wasn’t visible to most. When we moved to the last trap, John took up residence in an adjacent traphouse to watch Mrs. Miller finish this thing out in style. Karole was quite focused on her task, so she didn’t notice (as some of us did) John poking his head out like a woodchuck in its burrow.

After 75 targets we move to the last field. Darvin, Joe and I wait for Karole to move to post when she is ready. One more time, squad ready, scorer ready, let’s see one. Go time. Karole is hitting them hard! We move to the final post for the last 5 targets. Karole nods that she is good to go. The rest of us are on pins and needles, willing each target to break.

The last target. Karole takes a deep breath, mounts her gun, calls for her target and flat boils it! A collective sigh of relief is made by the squad. It’s congratulations from everyone!

Karole worked very, very hard to reach this goal. It was an honor to be a part of this special moment.

See you next time wherever it is! Travel Safe. Dan

[smokem]

Here is the smoke report and I hope someone can send me a picture of that squad?