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Ground Swipers Trap Club
Representing New Jersey
at the 2026 Grand American
SPARTA, ILLINOIS • WORLD SHOOTING COMPLEX
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Fellow shooters,
The 2026 Grand American is underway at the World Shooting Complex in Sparta, Illinois, and New Jersey is showing up strong on the biggest stage in trapshooting. As of today we count 19 NJ shooters classified on the grounds, and every one of them is carrying our state's colors against the best in the country.
Here at Ground Swipers Trap Club we could not be prouder. Whether you are chasing a championship or grinding through the program day after day, making the trip to Sparta and putting New Jersey on the scoreboard is worth celebrating. Our club is putting this salute together to promote every New Jersey shooter we see on the boards.
If you made the effort to get there and represent our fine state, we will do our part to represent you.
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Trophy Winners
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Scott Kalnas
On an absolute tear with ten trophies, headlined by a perfect 200 of 200 in the Winchester AA Class Singles Championship to finish second overall. Also Class AAA Champion in the Fiocchi Singles, the MEC Outdoors Singles, and the SOS Clays Doubles, plus the ATA World HAA Class AAA Championship.
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Patrick Shulack Jr. Ground Swipers Member
A four trophy week, headlined by Class AA Champion in the NRA Singles with a 199 of 200, good for sixth overall. He added Class A Runner up in the Graf and Sons Doubles (97), Third in his yardage group in the Trapshooting USA Handicap (95), and Third in his yardage group in the White Flyer HOA 1500 (95).
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Juha Pyykko
Broke 100 straight in the All American Woodworking Doubles to place second overall, and won Class D in the Graf and Sons Doubles.
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Robert Jarvis Veteran
Captured the Veteran Championship in the SOS Clays Doubles with a 97, and posted a strong 192 in the Winchester AA singles.
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Tony Pietrofitta
Finished Class C Runner up in the NRA Singles with a 195.
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Andrew DiGiacomo Junior
A New Jersey Junior shooter, placed Runner up in his yardage group in the Blaser Handicap and put up a 193 in the NRA Singles.
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Also Representing New Jersey
Every one of these shooters flew the NJ flag hard in Sparta.
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Patrick Shulack Sr. Veteran
A Ground Swipers full member, he shot all 22 events, topping out at 175 in the NRA Singles. |
Jeffrey Whalen Veteran
Shot all 22 events, high of 184 in the Winchester AA Singles Championship. |
Thomas Clarke Sub Veteran
A New Jersey State delegate to the National ATA, competed in 19 events and broke a 192 in the NRA Singles. |
Joseph Clarke
A New Jersey State delegate to the National ATA, posted a 193 in the Winchester AA Singles Championship across 13 events. |
Joe Sissano Senior Veteran
The ATA President and a proud New Jersey shooter, he shot 14 events with a high of 186 in the Winchester AA Singles Championship. |
Brian Skeuse Veteran
Shot 13 events, high of 184 in the Winchester AA Singles Championship. |
Edward Taylor Veteran
Put up a 96 in the Fiocchi Singles over 10 events. |
Michael Chiarella
Ground Swipers Vice President, he shot a 189 in the NRA Singles and a sharp 92 in the Krieghoff 100 Handicap. |
Keith Barton
Ground Swipers Treasurer, he broke a 97 in the Wendell August Champion of Champions. |
Richard Batesko Veteran
Ground Swipers Past President and current Board Member, he posted a 96 in the Wendell August Champion of Champions. |
Keith Newton Junior
A New Jersey Junior shooter, represented well with a 169 in the Winchester AA Singles Championship. |
Jan Skeuse Lady II
Representing New Jersey's lady shooters, posted a 91 in the Sterling Cut Glass Singles. |
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That lineup spans Veterans and Senior Veterans still shooting at a high level, Junior shooters like Andrew DiGiacomo and Keith Newton building their future in the sport, and Jan Skeuse among the lady shooters. It is a group our whole state can be proud of.
We are especially proud of the five Ground Swipers members flying our colors in the New Jersey field: Patrick Shulack Sr., Patrick Shulack Jr., Richard Batesko, Keith Barton, and Michael Chiarella.
The Grand American Handicap and the preliminary handicap are still ahead, so there is plenty more New Jersey shooting to come. We will keep cheering, keep watching the boards, and keep bragging about every one of you back home.
Shoot well and stay safe.
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Ground Swipers Trap Club
The Jersey Shore's Home for Precision Trap Shooting
1910 Lacey Rd, Forked River, NJ 08731
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