Mike Seeklander Wins Pistol Title At S&W IDPA Back Up Gun Nationals

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Despite wearing a wireless microphone and having a video camera in his face for most of the match, Team Armscor’s Mike Seeklander captured the Pistol division title at the inaugural Smith & Wesson IDPA Back Up Gun Nationals.

Seeklander, who was taping a future episode of the Outdoor Channel’s Shooting Gallery television show, won three stages before posting a final time of 170.19 seconds with 37 points down. His was the second fastest overall time behind that of Team Smith & Wesson’s Jerry Miculek, the Revolver division champion.

“With Mike pulling double duty during the match, both competing and filming, nobody was sure where exactly he’d finish. Then when his final times were posted, talk began that he might just win the match, and sure enough he did,” said Joyce Wilson, executive director of IDPA.

“Mike is great shooter and so well liked among his fellow competitors that seeing him win the inaugural Smith & Wesson Back Up Gun Nationals made a lot of IDPA members happy.”

Taking second behind Seeklender was Team Panteao’s Dave Harrington, who not only finished first Master with 193.82 (30) but also won one stage and took High Industry for the division. Dylan Kenneson, representing the Sig Sauer Academy, was recognized as the match’s most accurate, shooting just 17 points down while finishing third in the division as the second Master with 195.14. Team HK’s Jason Koon picked up third Master with 203.79 (86) while James Meyers won two stages and claimed both fourth Master and High Law Enforcement with 204.46 (44).

Elsewhere in the division, IDPA’s top lady shooter, and the newest member of Team Smith & Wesson, Randi Rogers won two stages and claimed the High Lady title with her final time of 212.20 seconds, shooting 98 points down. Greg Snyder, competing as a Master, took High Military Veteran with 219.91 (65). The U.S. Coast Guard’s Chad Barber, competing as an Expert, won High Military with 261.38 (141). Clark Coneby, a Sharpshooter, won High Junior with 264.95 (76). Tim Arnold won first Expert with 236.82 (55). Pasquile Vitetta, Jr. took first Sharpshooter with 259.96 (84), while Justin Fitch finished first Marksman with 298.09 (99) and Bill Henderson took home first Novice with 415.85 (206).

For more information on IDPA, the inaugural Smith & Wesson IDPA Back Up Gun Nationals or to join the more than 22,000 members competing each week all across America, visit www.IDPA.com.

You can further connect with the IDPA community through IDPA’s social media, such as @OfficialIDPA on Twitter and ShootIDPA on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Tumblr, or check for regular news and updates on the organization’s DOWN ZERO Blog.