The NRA World Shooting Championships had a little of everything this past week at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. From raging thunderstorms to near-numbing cold, and even a smattering of sunshine, there was something (miserable) for everyone.

When it wrapped up, a new name emerged as champion and laid claim to the title “World’s Greatest All-Around Shooter” - at least until next year when the competition begins again. Hopefully, Indiana weather will be a bit more accommodating.

When all the scores were tallied, pro shooter Brian Shanholtz claimed the overall title, along with the $25,000 check for coming out on top of a very strong pro field. In winning, Shanholtz topped Nils Johansson, Greg Jordan, Samuel Lawing and Tim Yackley, the finishers in second through fifth, respectively. Both Jordan and Yackley are past champions.

But it got even better for Shanholtz when his son, Cole Shanholtz, took home the title of High Junior- and a thousand dollar check.

The NRA World Shooting Chamionship turned into a family affair when Brian Shanholtz and his son, Cole, took home top pro and high junior titles -and a pretty good payday NRA officials. Here, NRA Board Members Bob Barr (far left) and Charles Hiltunen III (far right) pose with all the winners at Saturday’s award ceremonies. Cole McCulloch photo.

In the women’s pro category, Lanny (a/k/a Lanny Oakley) Barnes took top honors, with Becky Yackley, Gabby Franco, Tristin Burris and Jennifer Blake finishing second through fifth, respectively. Stephen Ferguson took the top overall amateur title.

It was a long week for the staff and volunteers at the World Shoot, from the first day’s nasty weather to the long teardown post-event. Since they were only a few miles removed from the direct path of yesterday’s eclipse, they finished their teardown (top) stowed their equipment on a connex for next year (center) and gathered for a “modest” eclipse party (below) before heading home. Photos by Tom Yost and Cole McCulloch with permission.

It seems we’ve all survived the “eclipse apocalypse” - unless you happen to still be stuck in traffic on one of the highways in the path of the eclipse. There were a variety of commemorative activities, from hot air ballon rides to wedding vows under the shadow, but fortunately we’ve not heard of anything awful having happened.

The eclipse wasn’t one of those totality events at our office, but it was enough to cause some birds to stop chirping, some owls to begin some furtive hooting and old photographers to drag out tripods and telephoto lenses to see just what all the fuss was about. That’s simple, it was a fuss to remind us that the universe doesn’t revolve around us one of those messages we occasionally need to be reminded of.

It wasn’t a full eclipse at HQ, but it was enough to remind us that it’s never “all about us.”

As always, we’ll keep you posted.

— JIm Shepherd