By Maxey Brantley
“Look Toto, we’re back in Kansas!”
RRange, Valley Center Kansas (September 10-12, 2025)– The 2025 International Shooting Sports of Oregon Senior Open returned to RRange, hosted by Bill and Janelle Raymond and Friends of RRange. Competitors enjoyed flawless range operation and exceptional hospitality including a social at the Raymond’s residence, daily lunches and dinner at one of Wichita’s best restaurants!
Originated in 2007, the “Senior Open” is an annual USA Shooting sanctioned trap event designed specifically for Senior Category trap shooters (ages 50+). Replicating a World Cup experience, decades old friendships are renewed and new ones are formed.
This year marked Senior Open XVIII as it moves around the country to various venues, promoting International Trap in the US. Modeled after the International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup clay target trap format, shooters fire 75 targets on Saturday and 50 targets on Sunday with Finals. The Euro Class System classifies shooters based on Saturday’s scores, being particularly important as participants from other countries compete in the event but hold no USA Shooting classifications.
Steady winds prevailed over all three days; however flawless equipment and range conditions made for a superb event for the maximum capacity turnout of shooters. RRange proved to be a level playing field, giving no one home field advantage as the competition unfolded. This year marked the first use of Euro Targets, graciously donated by Euro Target USA for the team and main events, while White Flyer Orange Crusher flash targets were used for all three Finals.
Friday’s event was a blind-draw 2-person team; 75 targets per shooter. Steve Loschen, Wilcox, NE and Robert Pankiewicz, Manitoba, Canada, took High Team with 132×150 with Rick Mein, Walnut, KS and Susan Nattrass, 7 times Women’s World Champion, Vashon, WA were 2nd with 124×150. Primo Scapin, Quebec, Canada and Paul Mullen, Laurel, MD claimed 3rd with 122×150.
As the Senior Open got under way on Saturday, former champion Steve Loschen jumped into the lead with 66×75 targets, followed by Robert Pankiewicz, defending 2024 champion, at 65×75. Lance Bade, 1996 Olympian and Men’s Trap medalist, closely followed with 64×75.
Day 2 saw Pankiewicz and Loschen tied for the Top Six Final with 110×125, Bade at 109×125, with Maxey Brantley, New Braunfels, TX, and Rick Mein, in 4th and 5th with 104×125 and 103×125 respectively. 6th position was determined by a shoot off between Gino Bortone, Valley View, TX and Terri Wentzel, 1996 Olympian, Newport, KY, tied with 101×125. Wentzel bested Bortone 7 targets to 6 in the miss and out.
The full ISSF 50 target Final saw Mein and Wentzel retired in turn, and after 30 targets were completed, Brantley and Pankiewicz were tied with 25×30. Brantley was retired based on his higher bib number per ISSF Finals rules.
After another five targets, Pankiewicz was awarded the bronze medal, leaving Loschen and Bade to battle for the last ten targets for the gold and silver. When the flash target powder cleared, Bade emerged victorious after a hard fought battle 40×50 to Loschen’s 37×50.
B and C Class winners were determined using a modified 25 target Finals process with Cary Skaggs, Bushland, TX and Youssef Mishriki, Ocoee, FL, taking home the golds. Based on the first 125 targets, High Woman was Terri Wentzel and High Visitor was Robert Pankiewicz. High Intermediate Senior was Gino Bortone and High Veteran was Maxey Brantley.
The 2026 Senior Open dates and location is still under consideration, and will be announced when available and listed on the USAS Website.