Introduction
What can I say except wow?
Actually, there is a lot more to say, but the first impact of my second major match was definitely something to take in. There was still a lot of “let’s figure this out” coming off my first major that I wanted to work through. Fortunately, thanks to Riley Fox, match director of FWPCSL, I had the opportunity to come out and shoot with some incredibly talented individuals. I even made a few new friends outside of the shooting sports scene who I may not have met otherwise.
In addition to the experience created by the other shooters, I both felt and heard from everyone just how much work Dan Click put into this match. As someone who is transparently not competitive even at my local matches, this was a real challenge. The amount of time and planning from the entire staff was impressive, from designing the stages to running the match itself. I was even graciously given the opportunity to continue shooting on Day 2 despite my own scheduling error.
Going forward, I want to review my major match experiences so I can better put into words what match directors, staff, and volunteers are doing, and how their work impacts us as we continue to grow both the sport and ourselves as individuals. The amount of volunteered time, effort, and education that goes into bringing each other up week after week is what ultimately leads to successful 350 competitor events such as Buckeye Blast.
MATCH FOOTAGE
As mentioned, at this Level 2 match I was basically an Average Andy trying to play with the PCC Super Squad. The difference in on-demand focus, stage plan execution, and raw fundamental performance was honestly bewildering. Even more surprising was how helpful and understanding everyone was during a championship match.
On Day 1, Stages 1–7, you can see my confidence progress throughout the day, both in my stage planning and in how I handled my firearm. While I wasn’t doing anything special, compared to my last few months of USPSA footage, I was actually shooting pretty well. A lot of that came from the subtle hints, advice, encouragement, and breakdowns of my runs during reset.
Day 2, Stages 8–14, was a bit rougher. We had a late start to the morning, which you can read more about in the full review, and I let that snowball. I came into the second day with more confidence than I had before, but the moment I got off track, I mentally folded. Slowly dropping back.
All in all, the experience was invaluable to my growth as a shooter. It showed me what higher-level focus and execution look like up close, while also reminding me how much this sport is built on people helping each other improve, even in the middle of a championship match.
OHIO STATE MATCH REVIEW
Match Format, Staff, & Operations
Buckeye Blast was hosted this year at The Cardinal Center, as it has been in previous years. In terms of a professionally run event, this one absolutely felt the part. Between the event-specific website and quick links, an air-conditioned pro shop for registration and match management, food trucks, golf carts for property use, and campground availability specifically for club events, the match had a level of organization that stood out immediately.
The staff involved a combination of Cardinal Center employees and volunteers from all over the country who showed up for the love of the sport.
Even when I put the wrong start time for Day 2 into my calendar, the staff was not only understanding, but incredibly professional when Riley called to ask where I was. “Get here safely. Don’t speed. We’ll still be here,” was the grace I was given as I showed up just in time to shoot the second stage of the day.
When I looped back around, the stage staff were just wrapping up the walkthrough for the next squad. When I volunteered to go first, they offered to let me watch a few run-throughs, just like I would have been able to do with my own squad, instead of rushing me through. I wish I would have taken that offer, because I ended up taking an FTSA on a piece of steel I didn’t see during my three quick walkthroughs.
From registration to stage management, the staff was on top of it. After seeing how much went into this year’s Ohio Sectional, I have an immense amount of respect for the consistency and competitive integrity shown by everyone involved.
Stage Design
When I first received the match book, I was hesitant to say whether I was excited or disappointed with the stages. The stage designs lent themselves to a completely different experience than what you could fully understand from a paper layout.
It was clear that the staff and volunteers, including people like Marc Schulte from Bigfoot Brass, had set these stages up ahead of time with real intention. They put together a dynamic challenge that wasn’t built around cheesy “gotcha” moments. The stages offered a healthy variety of technical ability, raw skill, and advanced planning.
I think it is expected that a major match will have great stage layouts, but the reality is that a match is only as good as the people behind the program. Dan Click put on a show this year, and that appreciation echoed from stage to stage.
Competitor Highlights
I think sometimes the point of healthy competition gets lost on those of us who are not realistically destined to win. Despite 90% of active USPSA members being representatives of good judgment, social etiquette, and welcoming attitudes, there is still a loud minority that can heavily shape the experience you have when you are trapped in the same squad for two straight days.
Luckily, I was fortunate enough to shoot with Fox and friends, as mentioned, and they are upper-tier representatives of that 90%.
Riley Fox
As mentioned, Riley was the only reason I got to shoot with this group. He noticed an empty spot after someone dropped out and offered me the opportunity to come learn from people performing at the highest level of these matches.
Beyond simply inviting me to a two-day event, Riley invests heavily into his local competition community, both through the people themselves and the local matches he hosts. One relief I have had going into both of my major matches is that there has yet to be a reasonable scenario we haven’t prepared for over the last two years at our local clubs.
There may be a separation in difficulty, but I 100% credit Fox and friends for preparing us for challenging scenarios like moving plates behind barriers or hard-cover targets at distance.
Corey Messersmith
An Ohio native, I am happy to say I am familiar with Corey thanks to his participation at my local club. He has always been another extended hand to people in the sport who are looking to get better.
Corey was exceptionally helpful with his timing, especially when I think he could feel my match starting to fall apart at times. He never gave me too much information. It was always just one thing to focus on going into the next stage, or a simple “lock back in” when he noticed me fumble during make ready.
Teagan Richman
My first match ever was at a Midwest Shooting Range location in Ohio. I was fortunate enough to be paired with Teagan while I was still a bumbling idiot, even more than I am today, when it came to navigating a match and understanding its standards.
Teagan was humble, patient, and consistent as a competitor, and I felt lucky she was all of those things when I ruined one of her runs by pasting an Alpha on a target I assumed had already been scored. When the RO called for a reset, my heart dropped into my stomach. I immediately realized how inappropriate it was that I had let my own distractions potentially ruin an entire match someone had spent hundreds of dollars, if not more, to participate in.
She kindly reassured me, even before laying down another slick run, that it was okay and that she was not upset either way. I can’t say I would have felt the same way so quickly if the roles were reversed, and I will absolutely remember to correct myself if that ever happens. I hope to be as respectable as Teagan was in that moment, and as she continues to be at matches.
Beau Venneri
I was lucky to have met Beau through common online communities prior to Ohio State. While I didn’t get to talk to him a whole lot at the event, I think it is important to mention his contribution not just to my match, but to my overall participation in the sport as a Team Infinity member.
Beau joined our mutual online scene around the same time I left a job I had been at for the better part of the last half decade. I was starting to plateau hard, without any real fresh objectives that didn’t feel like mental weights. Getting his fresh perspective and watching his progress in real time as he applied his own advice straight to GM was inspiring. It made getting better feel like a priority again.
Marc Schulte
Marc Schulte is the owner of Bigfoot Brass. I had seen the name before meeting the man, but at 6’7”, he really puts the Bigfoot in Bigfoot Brass. I’m not sure this man has ever had a target obscured by barrels. Despite his strong presence, Marc is one of the kindest people on the range, and he is also your 2026 PCC Buckeye Blast Champion. Separate from his professional presence, Marc both sponsored the match and donated his time to design one of the stages. It was incredible to see this behemoth of a man move like he weighed no more than a buck fifty.
Corey Scheel
Corey Scheel was another great competitor to watch in action. Coming in second place, he was incredibly consistent all day, and I think that consistency led to his successful finish. I really appreciated watching Corey’s process. He clearly had a plan, and any small mistakes were just bumps in the overall road. He never seemed to let one moment define the match.
Anthony Zabonik
I have had the chance to shoot the same matches as Anthony for a while now, thanks to his participation in our local scene and the end-of-year PCSL Championship. I always enjoy picking Anthony’s brain when we cross paths because he consistently has something interesting to show me about the sport.
This time around, he showed me how to read a stage plan to my advantage. Understanding how things are phrased, not to game the system, but to remain competitive against others doing the same thing, is a crucial part of strategy. It also helps expose holes in stage plans or rules that may need further review down the road.
Alex Cate
Alex Cate was the man behind the camera. I knew we were going to connect the moment I saw him with his full production kit and drone in our squad. Having shot the match on the previous days, Alex was providing media coverage for the event. Coming from a design background myself, I had to talk to him once I pulled up the Instagram referenced on his shirt. If you haven’t seen his work over at ATEX Media, you are really missing out.
I can already tell this is a friendship that will be long-lasting and worth the match fee by itself.
Brandon Cromwell
Thank God there were two other pistol shooters in our squad for me to study, with Brandon being one of them. He ended up taking Single Stack Champion for the weekend, and while I don’t think he performed exactly the way he would have liked, it was impressive to see him take moments that would have ruined a stage for me and keep himself together for a match win.
It was impressive watching Brandon lock in and flow from position to position seamlessly, with his sights meeting the target from each transition precisely when he wanted to pull the trigger.
Matthew Zellers
Matt was the comedic relief of the group. He is another local shooter I have always enjoyed squadding with. I think sometimes I might worry him a bit, as I am definitely the weak link of the group, but as he said, I think he was happy there was someone else there to hold the last-place title for our squad.
Sometimes the moment passes by too fast, and there is only loud footage to remember it by. Not with Matt. With Matt, you always get a memorable squad photo to remember the moment.
Would I Go Again?
Without question, Buckeye Blast was a key moment in my journey within the sport. I appreciate the education, growth, and new friendships I was able to experience by attending.
The facilities were once again above par, making that second-day sunburn a little easier to deal with when a cold drink from the pro shop was needed. They also had warmup bays available for competitors to function test, confirm gear, or work through small issues before jumping into the match. Ultimately, I still have a lot of work to do, but Buckeye Blast has officially made my must-shoot list for 2027.
Fun with friends, $1.50 Gatorades, air-conditioned restrooms, and a warmup bay that is more equipped than some local ranges. What more could you ask for?