HASA Champs, Kirksville, Missouri

Oct. 2 marked another successful HASA championships at the Galloway Games in Kirksville, Missouri.  Sean Betz put on a show as the lone pro. Chad Ullom won the A's, John O'Brien the B's, Thom Van Vleck Masters40, Bill Leffler Masters 50>, Emily Burchett, women, and her brother Nathan won the 190's.  We had perhaps the best awards ever for the highland games courtesy of the work of Jim Spalding.  Not only did we have 5ft swords for all catagory winners, but 3 ft swords for all 2nd placers, and sgain dubh's for ALL who competed (all the way to 12th place in the C's).  The awards were also engraved by Jim, who's a jeweler and were the nicest I've seen and I've been to many contests that gave out swords.  It was a perfect day for throwing and many PR's bit the dust.  I was especially pleased with the top notch equipment I have been able to accumulate, all weighed right before the meet on a certified scale.  Another aspect of this contest was free lunch, breakfast, and even a free evening meal.  How many games have all that for a 25 buck entry.  Long sleeve shirts, too.  Any one interested in competing next year, send me your address and I'll put on  my mailing list at tvanvleck@pfh.org.  Thanks, Thom Van Vleck

Great games, Great day, and 3PR's, I finally hit 90' in the light hammer. All that good food allowed me to keep my strength up and drink more that night (I am a lightweight you know)  The HASA Championships just keep getting better each year, Thanks to Thom and all who helped to make it a great competition. I am already working on the awards for next year, Good luck to all in St Louis