Penn-Trafford's Lovre on target at National Trophy Rifle Matches
When it comes competitive rifle shooting, it doesn't get much bigger than the National Matches at Ohio's Camp Perry.
The event has been held there since 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelet as a way for the Office of Civilians Marksmanship to promote marksmanship and brings in thousands of shooters.
Penn-Trafford senior Matthew Lovre competed at the event this summer and walked away with some distinct honors.
“It is the pinnacle of the sport,” Lovre said. “It is a piece of American history. Everyone there is friendly and just wants to compete. It is really no frills. You are out in the middle of the field baring the heat. There are no ready rooms.”
Lovre won the President's 100 – an honor given to the top 100 shooters – and finished in eighth place in a field of 998 competitors in the junior division.
He set a new national record during the President's 100 Match Shoot Off with his aggregate score of 391-14x. It was Lovre's fourth trip to the event.
The event has an added level of difficulty as the competitors do not get a sighting shot. They must be cautious of any wind as every shot goes towards the final score.
“The pressure is intense,” Lovre said. “Every little thing you do matters. You need to be spot on and make precise wind calls.”
Lovre also found team success, winning both the two-man and six-man competition with other local talent. He won the Freedom's Fire Trophy with Wexford's Joseph Hendricks with an aggregate of 954-25x.
In the six-man event, Lovre captured the Minuteman Trophy with local shooters Hendricks, Alexander Thomas, Kevin Kerin, Jack Graw and Wyatt Thomas. The group finished with an aggregate of 2,821-56x.
“You really try helping each other help out,” Lovre said of competing with a group. “You have a coach with you who lets you if the wind changes directions.”
Lovre has been shooting competitively for four years. On what was started by a friend inviting him to an open house at the Keystone Run Gun Club, Lovre has grown to be a highly accomplished marksmen.
“I really started for fun,” Lovre said. “I just kept going and going. I didn't think about it much because I was having fun the whole time.”
Lovre attended high school online for three years as a way to have more time being able to practice and compete.
A typical season will start in March with an event at a local range. From there, he will participate in events in the summer that will last a weekend or more – the event at Camp Perry can last for up to four weeks.
When he isn't competing, he is practicing. During the downtime of the winter, he will shoot up to 300 rounds a week.
Lovre competes with Team Frazier Simplex in small bore and air rifle events, and with the Reed Range junior program and the Pennsylvania Rifle & Pistol Association in high-powered and service rifle events.
Lovre has competed at the Junior Olympics in precision rifle twice – once in the .22 and another trim in air rifle. He said the event, held art the Olympics Training Center in Colorado Springs, had a completely different feel than Camp Perry.
“That was more difficult,” Lovre said. “There are a bunch of college coaches and shooters there. There is added pressure. At Çamp Perry, everyone is there to help you out.
“At the Junior Olympics, everyone wants to win.”
Nathan Smith is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at nsmith@tribweb.com or via Twitter @NSmith_Trib.
