SHELLEY SHOOTS DOWN FIVE WORLD-CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALS

Abe Shelley, grandson of Waynedale resident, Marceille Shelley, bagged five medals, including two golds, in the Junior World Skeet Shooting Championships at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas.

Shelley, 14, participated in the Sub-Junior Competition. The event consisted of shooting 100 rounds (clay birds) in doubles, 12-gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 gauge, totaling 500 targets.

The competitors are placed in classes according to age and target average scores compiled in other skeet competitions.

Shelley competed against youths from all over the world, and fared well indeed.

He took gold medals in 12 gauge and .410 gauge and a bronze in 28 gauge.

He also earned a silver medal in the High Overall competition, awarded to the shooters who break the highest number of targets in all four gauges.

Shelley uses a Beretta 682, a 12 gauge shotgun, with custom Kolar tube sets for shooting different gauges.

“We are very proud of our young teenager,” said parents, Kevin and Jane Shelley, formerly of Waynedale.

Abe also benefited from shooting with world champion shooter, Todd Bender at the St. Joe Valley Conservation Club earlier this year.

According to his parents, Abe’s biggest fan is his younger brother Tristan, 8.

“It won’t be long before my brother will be shooting in competition,” Abe said. “But at least we will be shooting together!”

Next year’s Junior World Skeet Shooting Championships will be contested in Boston.

For more information about skeet shooting, go to www.mynssa.com/jrworld.