View full article PDF here.Recap: 2024 Empire Grand – Cicero, New York
The 20th Annual Empire Grand American was held May 8–12, 2024 at the New York State ATA Homegrounds in Cicero, NY. As the first of four major shoots hosted there in 2024, it featured 1,300 program targets across five days, with shooters facing everything from strong winds to bright sun—and even the debut of White Flyer Green Top AA targets.
Early Week Highlights
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Warm-Up Day (Wednesday): Frank Pascoe won Singles after carryover, while Michael Bumpus claimed the Handicap with a 92. Nicole Hood took Lady I in both events, and Pascoe came back to also win the Doubles.
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Thursday Events: John Farina led the field in Singles with the only 100. Thomas Walter Jr. won Handicap with a 96, and Pascoe claimed Doubles again with a 97.
Friday Action
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Class Singles: Four perfect 100s, with Samuel Leiendecke taking AAA, Katelynn Decker Lady I, and Deborah Ohye-Neilson Lady II.
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Preliminary Handicap: Alex Tucker shot the lone high score of 96.
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Class Doubles: Brandon Hood posted a 99 to win Junior Champion, with Blaisdell and Pascoe taking Veteran and runner-up.
Championship Weekend
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Singles Championship (Saturday): Nicole Hood posted her career-first 200 straight to win the title outright. John Farina and Deborah Ohye-Neilson followed with 199s for Sub Veteran and Lady II. Peter Eaton (198) was runner-up.
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Doubles Championship (Sunday): Michael Blaisdell ran the only 100 to claim Champion. Clare Schaffer topped Lady I with a 97, while John Kirksey (Sub Vet), Urb Womer (Veteran), and Sheldon Hostetter (Sr. Vet) all shot 95.
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Handicap Championship (Sunday): Thad Blaisdell’s 96 earned him Champion. Justin Slater was runner-up with 94, and Cam Zuller (Sub Vet) tied the same score for category honors.
High Awards
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High All Around (HAA): Justin Slater – 383×400.
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High Over All (HOA): John Farina – 936×1000, edging Blaisdell and Hood for the overall crown.
Final Take
The 2024 Empire Grand showed why Cicero remains one of the ATA’s premier venues. With Nicole Hood’s career-best 200, Blaisdell’s perfect Doubles, and strong showings from names like Farina, Slater, and Pascoe, the tournament blended top-tier scores with the great atmosphere shooters expect at this storied site.
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