ACCOKEEK, MD – Team Benelli enjoyed impressive wins at the nation’s annual Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun Competition held last week at the Rio Salado Sportsman Club in Mesa, Arizona. Superstition Mountain marked the beginning of a new era as the first event in the inaugural season of the 3-Gun Nation (3GN) Tour.
Competing with more than 300 top 3-gun shooters, Team Benelli’s Taran Butler, Grand Master shooter, 10-time California State 3-Gun Champion and four time USPSA Multi-Gun National Tactical Champion, led the pack, taking first place in the Tactical Scope (T/S) Division, and second place in the 3-Gun Nation Shoot-Off.
Sixteen year-old Katie Harris took top honors as the overall Junior Champion, but even more impressively she also took top Lady honors in the T/S Division. Preceding the main event, 3-Gun Nation debuted a new format with the inaugural 3-Gun Nation Team Event.
Remarkably, Harris drew two other top women shooters including Dianna Liedorff and Tasha Hanish, to complete her formidable team. As team captain, Harris laid down a smoking shotgun run to give her team the early lead. Hanish maintained a slight edge over Miculek through the rifle, before Liedorff cruised through the pistol arrays to give Harris’ the win. For their performance, each member of the team received a check for $500 from Brownells.
Other Team Benelli top finishers in the Tactical Scope Division were, Chris Sechiatano (3rd), Rob Romero (5th), Patrick E. Kelley (6th), Ben Fortin (15th), and popular gun writer, Bryce Towsley (111th). Kurt Miller took second place in the Tactical Limited Division (T/L) and Jansen Jones took seventh place in the Heavy Metal Scoped (HMS) Division.
“We recognize the rising popularity of 3-gun matches and the significant role that Benelli shotguns play in serious competition,” said Stephen McKelvain, Benelli USA’s VP Marketing and Communications. “We’re proud to be teamed with top shooters in this challenging sport that’s based on real life practical shooting scenarios where there is no substitute for total reliability and dependability.”
About:
Headquartered in Accokeek, MD, Benelli USA offers the largest selection of semi-automatic shotguns in the world, as well as a variety of fine products from Franchi, Stoeger, A. Uberti, and Stoeger Airguns. The company has built a solid reputation for producing high quality, durable products with their commitment to reliable function, efficient styling and mechanical precision. For more information visit the Benelli USA web site at www.benelliusa.com
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
Yes, Beth … this next generation of women shooters is most impressive, isn’t it?
I met Katie for the first time last year at the Ozark 3-Gun match. Not only was I impressed with her overall performance, but her personality as well. What a great role model for young shooters! Congratulations, Katie!