19th Annual IDPA Indoor National Championships Honor Top Shooters
Team Smith & Wesson® Members David Olhasso, Josh Lentz & Randi Rogers Take Home Titles
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 24, 2016) — (ArmsVault.com) – Unseasonably mild weather in Massachusetts made for a perfect time to visit the Smith & Wesson Employee Sports Center where competitors from all over the world gathered to take part in the 19th Annual International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) Indoor National Championships. The theme for this year’s match was “A Trip to the County Fair”. Inspired by carnival rides and games of chance, competitors were challenged with intricate props and shooting obstacles as they raced through 14 stages of fire that would ultimately decide this year’s winners. Once the brass was cleared and scores tallied, Smith & Wesson along with the IDPA awarded five division titles and multiple special category distinctions in the first major match of the 2016 competitive shooting season.
“This match has become the premier match of the year for many of the competitors,” said James Debney, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson. “For the last 19 years, we have had the distinct honor of partnering with the IDPA to host an event that has become the inaugural match of each shooting season. With that honor comes a lot of meticulous planning and precise execution that requires the efforts of numerous volunteers, sponsors and range staff. Through their talents, teamwork and relentless dedication, we have been able to grow the match to what it is today; an enjoyable, yet challenging shooting competition that reinforces the basic principles of IDPA while promoting the inherent values of the shooting sports.”
In the race for overall honors, competitors undertook 14 stages of fire that sought to combine realism with a hint of fantasy at every turn. After the final round was fired, it was no surprise to see several members of the Smith & Wesson Shooting Team atop their respective leaderboards. Team Smith & Wesson’s own Josh Lentz was able to defend his home turf by capturing the Revolver Division. Lentz clinched the division using his Smith & Wesson Performance Center® Model 625 revolver. Team member David Olhasso took home the top spot in the CDP (Custom Defensive Pistol) using his Smith & Wesson Model SW1911E Series Pistol.
Also successfully defending her title as High Lady from the previous three years was Team Smith & Wesson member Randi Rogers. Rogers, who competed in the Stock Service Pistol (SSP) Division using a Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P®9 Pro Series® pistol, finished the match in fourth place overall within her division. Rogers’ recent victory marks the eighth time in her career that she has claimed the High Lady title at the Indoor Nationals.
Elsewhere in competition, Team Smith & Wesson members posted strong finishes using firearms from the company’s competition revolver and M&P Pistol Series. World record holder and senior Team Smith & Wesson member Jerry Miculek finished just behind revolver divisional winner and team member Josh Lentz in the Distinguished Master Class. Smith & Wesson Team Captain Julie Golob, shooting in the ESP Division, finished 11th in the division earning her the third High Lady title behind Rogers.
The fastest overall time (207.87) for a seventh consecutive year went to Robert Vogel, SSP Champion. Rounding out the remaining division winners were Mason Lane who took top place in the ESP Division and Joseph Linskey who took home the Compact Carry Pistol (CCP) championship.
Smith & Wesson would like to congratulate and recognize all of the division champions and special category winners:
CDP Champion: David Olhasso
ESP Champion: Mason Lane
SSP Champion: Robert Vogel
Rev Champion: Josh Lentz
CCP Champion: Joseph Linskey
High Senior: Walt Proulx
High Lady: Randi Rogers
High Law Enforcement: Joe Linskey
High Industry: Robert Vogel
High International: Gerardo Hidalgo
High Junior: Parker Wallace
High Military: Lee Adams
High-Distinguished Senior: Dan Smith
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC) is a U.S.-based leader in firearm manufacturing and design, delivering a broad portfolio of quality firearms, related products, and training to the global military, law enforcement, and consumer markets. The company’s firearm division brands include Smith & Wesson®, M&P®, and Thompson/Center Arms™. As an industry-leading provider of shooting, reloading, gunsmithing and gun cleaning supplies, the company’s accessories division produces innovative, top quality products under Battenfeld Technologies, Inc., including Caldwell® Shooting Supplies, Wheeler® Engineering, Tipton® Gun Cleaning Supplies, Frankford Arsenal® Reloading Tools, Lockdown® Vault Accessories, and Hooyman® Premium Tree Saws. Smith & Wesson facilities are located in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and Missouri. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com. Pro Series® is used under license.