MIKE BRAUN A Grand time in Ohio

One of the largest shooting events, the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships, presented by the American Trapshooting Association, got started Thursday at the ATA's Vandalia, Ohio, trap facility.
Already, a local shooter has had his name posted among those who have done well.
New Castle's Joe Pascoe Jr. made the high gun list for the first event for the 2001 Grand American, the David Berlet Singles.
The scope: To give you an idea of the scope of the Grand American and what Pascoe and other local shooters will be up against, the only event that has more participants in a single day's competition is the modern marathon of the Olympics.
The Grand American has 21 events held over 10 days. Thursday through Sunday kicks off the tournament with "Preliminary Days," in which competitors may sharpen their shooting before competing in the championship events of the "Grand Week." More than 5,000 shooters from all over the world are expected to be in Vandalia for the Grand American through next weekend.
Meanwhile, Pascoe, who has been making a name for himself in trap circles by shooting well whenever he picks up a shotgun, scored a 100 in the AA Junior category in the Thursday event.
With the Grand American running through Aug. 18, I'm sure this won't be the final time young Pascoe's name surfaces in Vandalia.
With a large contingent of area trap enthusiasts in Vandalia for the next week, I'm sure we will see many recognizable names by the time all is wrapped up.
A complete listing of those who turned in winning scores will be included on a future Outdoors page.
Pascoe, 18, has been burning up the trap fields over the past few years, getting better all the time.
Recognition: Honors he has scored this year include completing a grand slam (100 clays handicap, 100 doubles and 200 from 16 yards), being named trap shooter of the year for Pennsylvania and also being named to the American Trapshooting Association's 2001 All-American Team, junior first team.
Pascoe also was named to the ATA All-American Team in 2000, placing on the junior second team.
It takes a bit of effort to make the ATA's All-American Team. Candidates must meet minimum target totals (3,000 singles, 2,000 handicap and 1,000 doubles for juniors, women and veterans), and must compete in a minimum of three state and/or province qualifying shoots (such as the Grand American, satellite Grand American, ATA Zone shoots, ATA state and provincial shoots and other ATA registered tournaments where entries in the singles, doubles and handicap Championship Events total at least 600 entries).
braun@vindy.com