Science & Outdoors
Ashley Look chose to shoot for the Ikes, though a member of both organizations.
Biannual shoot-off gives SLEA and Ikes the chance to show their guns
The Pointer
jtowe695@uwsp.edu
The shoot-off between the Student Law Enforcement Association and the Isaak Walton League of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point gave both organizations the opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned during target practice. Though a friendly rivalry, the showdown on Wednesday, Oct. 14, revealed that when it comes down to it, SLEA’s got the bigger guns.
The Ikes versus SLEA shoot-off takes place during the fall and spring semesters and is open to any member of either organization. For those with a more competitive streak, being able to drop clay pigeons is a plus. For all, firearm safety is a must.
Stations were set up, allowing five members of the same organization to shoot for points. Each individual was allowed two rounds at each station before rotating and a total of ten rounds had the potential to either help or hurt the team’s final score.
For safety, each participant closed the gun chamber, turned the safety off and raised his or her gun immediately before shooting. Shooters indicated their readiness by yelling “pull” and with the click of a button, an operator threw a clay pigeon electronically.
Each individual was given one shot at the clay pigeon and one point was awarded for hitting the moving target.
After the totals were tallied, each team collectively participated in an Annie Oakley. During this portion of the event, everybody lined up and three people raised their guns at a time. If the first person missed, the second person could shoot and the third person was given a chance if the clay pigeon was still flying. Shooting at a broken bird, a miss followed by a direct hit and shooting out of turn were grounds for disqualification.
Surgery on his shoulder put Ikes president, Tim Neuman, at a disadvantage. However, shooting one-handed proved to be a successful tactic as he added six points to the team’s total.
Ashley Look created some tension as a member of both organizations. A sophomore, Look is actively involved with Ikes and is currently a cabinet member for SLEA. Though she showed her faithfulness to the Ikes by shooting for them last Wednesday, it remains unclear where her true loyalty lies, as she fraternized with SLEA throughout most of the event.
Treasurer, T.J. Dahlke, was the best shot for the Ikes with a score of nine out of ten. “That’s average,” said Dahlke who shoots for three different leagues and shot an estimated 2,000 rounds over the past year.
After their one-point victory the previous semester, SLEA prepared for last week’s event by practicing at a shooting range in Wisconsin Rapids. Their hard work paid off in their 64-60 victory. “We won last semester, so we were hoping,” said Logan Cannon, SLEA president.
Though Neuman joked, “You have a better average, but our top end is good,” the hour and a half long event was a friendly competition that confirmed great skill among both groups.
Neuman extended his congratulations to SLEA and said, “I’m looking forward to the spring semester when I will be fully healed from my shoulder surgery and the Ikes will have a chance to regain their title.”
