Shooters from near, far try their hands in O.B.
Kids and adults alike compete in the annual Speed on Steel tourney
BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent
Top pistol shooters from all over the Northeast battled it out in Old Bridge last weekend to see who was the fastest and sharpest.

Chris Lombardo, of Aberdeen, fires a .45-caliber semiautomatic at a target.

The World Class Steel 2008 Speed on Steel Championships were held Friday and Saturday at the Old Bridge Rifle and Pistol Club's outdoor range, off Jake Brown Road. Professionals and amateurs came from Massachusetts, Virginia, Rhode Island, New York and Pennsylvania to try their hand at winning more $30,000 in cash and prizes.

"We had a world-class champion here yesterday," John Perciballi, match development director, said Saturday. "But our participants run the gamut, and some are entry level. They come from all walks of life, and women compete right alongside the men."

Michele Bergen, a surgeon from New York, said she likes to shoot "for the fun of it.

"I enjoy the discipline of the sport. There's also a social component. I have a lot of friends that shoot," Bergen said.

Alyssa Solimina, 14, of Somerset, was also on hand. She used to accompany her father, Vince, to competitions, but discovered that she had a special talent.

J.J. Racaza, of New Millford, fires his semiautomatic during the 2008 Speed on Steel Championships at the Old Bridge Rifle and Pistol Club. The Smith & Wesson Shoot Series event, involving 150 shooters, was held Friday and Saturday.

"I started hitting bull's-eyes right away," she said.

Now she's hooked on the sport.

"I really like it. My friends sometimes come out and watch me," she said. Her father made sure her skills were grounded in safety by having her take anNRA(National Rifle Association) gun safety class.

"This is a sport where there is always room for improvement," said Paul Dandinia, who came down from Massachusetts for the event. "In a sense you're competing against yourself."

John Soltesz, match director and vice president of the Old Bridge Rifle and Pistol Club, said safety is the No. 1 priority. He is also a certified NRA instructor.

There are a number of rules to ensure the safe handling of the guns.

"Every time someone shoots, there are two people besides him or her. One is the score keeper and the other is the range officer who makes sure the gun is being handled correctly," Perciballi said.

Although almost everyone at the tournament was wearing a gun, Soltesz explained that none were loaded unless it was that person's turn to compete.

Even the holsters have safety switches. Mike Levandusky, of Union Beach, demonstrated how his worked.

"Thismakes suremy gun stays in place," he explained.

"Anyone who doesn't follow the rules is asked to leave. No one gets a second chance," Soltesz said.

Speed on Steel matches are held throughout the country, and the design is uniform. There are seven different firing areas, called stages. Each contains five metal targets that vary in size and are located at varying distances from each other and the box where the shooter stands. The goal is to hit all five targets as quickly as possible.

According to Soltesz, the challenge is not just amatter of a good eye and a steady hand.

"It's also a mental game. It's like golf or tennis. You can do great at practice and then choke in the competition. It's hard to be relaxed and calmwhile shooting the targets as fast as you can," he said.

Competitors have a choice of being in the open or iron divisions.

"In the open category you can have an added sight to your gun," said Dave Zengewald, of Roselle Park. "Each gun has a metal sight on it, but as I got older and my vision changed I decided to start using an optic sight."

"I only use the iron sights," said his 13- year-old son, Zachary, who's been shooting for about five years. It's one of his favorite sports, he said, though he has also been on the wrestling team and has studied karate.

"This sport is good for people of all ages," Perciballi noted.

Learning to shoot was on his retirement "to do" list.

"It was something I always wanted to try, butmy vocation was very time consuming," he explained.When his son expressed an interest, the two joined the Old Bridge gun club together.While his son is nowa casual shooter, Perciballi has become a certified NRA pistol instructor.

The Old Bridge Rifle and Pistol Club was started in 1963 and has about 450 members. Speed on Steel is one of its most popular events.

"I think it's because of the camaraderie. We are a very friendly group. We also have generous sponsors so we are able to give away large cash prizes and award," Perciballi said.

David Parker, of Massachusetts, would agree.

"They really give a lot back to the participants," he said. "That's why I come down here."

Vince Solimina was happy.

"I won an $800 Beretta Carbine in the raffle," he said.

So, who is the fastest gun in the Northeast?

Bragging rights go to a 17-year-old from Pennsylvania named James McGinty, whose score was the highest at the match overall.

The Old Bridge Rifle and Pistol Club holds a newmember orientation the second Sunday of the month at its indoor range on Maple Street in Old Bridge. Those interested learning about shooting are welcome to attend. The club's Web site is www.obrpc.org.