Four Anchor Point shooters and one Nikolaevsk shooter competed at the Alaska State Territorial Shoot July 10-14. Four of the participants earned gold, silver and bronze medals for their accuracy in shooting black powder guns.

For 10-year-old Abigail Thomas of Anchor Point it was the first time to participate.

“Abby had never shot before and out of a possible 100 got 63 points on two targets,” said Sandy Thomas of Nikolaevsk, and three-year winner of the “top shot” title.

The event was held at the Upper Susitna Sportsman’s Association, mile 94 of the Parks Highway. 

Bringing home state medals were:

• Jim Dress of Anchor Point: bronze;

• Sandy Dress of Anchor Point: gold, silver and bronze;

• Rebecca Thomas of Anchor Point: two silvers and one bronze;

• Sandy Thomas of Nikolaevsk: five golds, one silver, 1 bronze and the “top gun” award.

Scores were submitted to the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, with the scores based against those posted from across the United States and rated for the top 10 in each aggregate, or combined targets, for the nation, for the year.

 “In February or March, they post all the national top 10 for each aggregate and the state’s ‘top gun’ recipient in their publication, ‘Muzzle Blasts,’” said Sandy Thomas.

The competition is held every year, with anywhere from 20-35 competitors.

“In the Lower 48, we used to get 50-60 at a territorial,” said Thomas. “It’s so much fun. We’re trying to get more people interested.”