By Rob Potter
CALLICOON — May 27, 2003 – Most people have heard the old adage that “practice makes perfect.”
Sullivan West senior Rob Kautz recently proved that the old saying is true.
While shooting with fellow members of the VFW Post 1776 Delaware Valley Junior Rifle Club on the evening of April 30, Kautz shot through 10 bullseyes on a paper target to score a perfect 100. It was the first perfect score for the 18-year-old.
“I finally got a 100,” he said. “I’ve been trying for it for a long time.”
Kautz achieved the 100 while shooting in the prone position. That same night, he shot three 99s in the prone position.
To commemorate the milestone, the adult leaders of the Delaware Valley Junior Rifle Club – Paul Brustman, Earl Kinney, Bill Schultz and Al Steppich – all signed the perfect target sheet. Kautz now keeps the sheet in a nice wooden frame.
For his perfect shooting, Kautz received a High Overall award from the National Rifle Association (NRA). He and fellow rifle club member John Theadore also received Junior Smallbore Expert medals from the NRA.
Kautz and Theadore were among the shooters who helped the Delaware Valley Junior Rifle Club earn a top-five finish in the VFW/NRA Smallbore Rifle Postal Matches Competition. From December to March, the club members scored a total of 3,456 points to place fifth in the national contest.
In the competition’s individual standings, Kautz finished 17th with 243 points. Theadore was 50th with 174 points. Other club members who earned a place among the nation’s top shooters were Kevin Darling (51st, 168 points), Andrew Rosenberger (54th, 160 points) and Matthew Ziegler (63rd, 131 points).
Kautz, who has been a member of the club for six years, will graduate from Sullivan West next month.
“I hope each of them decides to stick with it and continue shooting,” he said of his fellow club members.
Kautz’ mother, Jean Smith, noted that participating in the rifle club is somewhat similar to competing on a track and field team.
“You’re not competing directly against someone else,” she said. “You’re just trying to do your best.”
And for one night in April, her son did the best he possibly could.