BUTNER, N.C. – Kyle Kirschenmann, 62, Tellico Plains, TN, showed his talents at the 2026 Eastern CMP Games, claiming multiple overall wins in the lineup of vintage rifle matches.

The 2026 Eastern Games was facilitated by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) and included a full schedule of rifle and pistol competitions and clinic for adults and juniors of all experience levels. Rifle events included CMP’s own vintage matches along with highpower and mid/long-range competitions.

Kyle Kirschenmann earned several overall wins at the 2026 Eastern Games, claiming titles in both rifle and pistol.

Kirschenmann arrived at the event ready to compete, finding overall wins in the Garand and Vintage Military Matches, with his combined scores earning him both the Three- and Four-Gun Aggregate titles. He also added an overall win in the M-Class of the Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match and decided to throw in a pistol win, overtaking the M17 Match that accompanies the educational Marksmanship 101 Course.

Showing talent of his own was SSG Shane Butler, 35, of Fort Mitchell, AL, who fired a score of 499-27X to reach a new event record in the EIC Service Rifle Match. Butler, a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) set the record by firing just two x-shots over the previous record, set by USAMU member SSG Ben Cleland in 2022.

Butler was also the top competitor in the Service Rifle portion of the Mid-Range Match with a score of 592-35X.

Also claiming top spots and each firing new record scores in the Mid-Range event were Roy Mitchell, 55, of Parma, OH (Match Rifle, 598-37X), Terrence McCoy, 71, of Kensington, MD (AR Tactical, 598-32X) and SSG Jarrod McGaffic, 35, of Fort Benning, GA (Palma Rifle, 598-32X).

Outside of competition, the 2026 Eastern Games saw the tradition of marksmanship continue through three generations of one family, using the same 1903 Springfield.

The rifle was first constructed by the grandfather of the group, Edwin Barnes “Barney” Lawless, 92, in 1960. He went on to compete on the Army Reserve team at the Camp Perry National Matches in 1962 and earned his Distinguished Rifleman Badge in 1983.

The Lawless Family brought a treasure to Eastern Games and celebrated three generations of marksmen.

A few years later, his son, Edwin “Ed” Lawless, used the same rifle at Camp Perry in 1975. He continued competing in marksmanship until the early 1990s when he decided to take a break to spend more time with his family, including his own son, Peter.

In 2005, Barney, Ed and Peter got back to the firing line at Camp Perry, competing in both highpower and vintage events. Peter, stuck with the sport – earning his own Distinguished Badge in 2012.

With Peter (now 35) living in nearby Raleigh and Ed (now 66) and Barney in Virginia, the trio decided to resurrect the Springfield rifle this year at Camp Butner, equipped with the same Lyman scope Barney chose in 1960. It didn’t take long to “knock the rust off” the old firearm – in fact, the men said the rifle kept shooting better as the match went on.

For this family, the iconic piece of American history not only gets better with time, but it also allows them more time to make even more memories together.

Other Top Performers of the 2026 Eastern Games:

Pistol:

M17 Pistol: Kyle Kirschenmann, 62, Tellico Plains, TN – 269-2X

As-Issued 1911: Joseph McMillan, 66, Greenville, NC – 336-6X

Military & Police: Greg Abraham, 73, Lake Crystal, MN – 368-6X

Revolver EIC: CDR Jafar Ali, 45, Virginia Beach, VA – 345-7X

.22 Rimfire EIC: MSG Robert Yeager, 37, Woodford, VA – 280-7X

Pistol EIC: Greg Abraham, 73, Lake Crystal, MN – 281-3X

.22 Rimfire 900 Aggregate:

Any Sights: Kelvin Alleyne, 60, Jacksonville, FL – 822-13X

Metallic Sights: Greg Abraham, 73, Lake Crystal, MN – 827-11X

.22 Only: Vernon Reichenbecher, 78, Huntington, WV – 803-11X

Eastern Games features a lineup of pistol events suitable for all experience levels.

Center Fire 900 Aggregate:

Any Sights: Kelvin Alleyne, 60, Jacksonville, FL – 802-11X

Metallic Sights: Levi Vanuga, 36, Southern Pines, NC – 831-14X

.45 Pistol 900 Aggregate:

Any Sights: Kelvin Alleyne, 60, Jacksonville, FL – 824-24X

Metallic Sights: Greg Abraham, 73, Lake Crystal, MN – 813-13X

2700 Aggregate:

Any Sights: Kelvin Alleyne, 60, Jacksonville, FL – 2448-48X

Metallic Sights: Greg Abraham, 73, Lake Crystal, MN – 2450-33X

.22 Only: Vernon Reichenbecher, 78, Huntington, WV – 2415-39X

Rifle:

M16 Pistol: Nathan Bogard, 38, Galion, OH – 377-11X

Garand Match: Kyle Kirschenmann, 62, Tellico Plains, TN – 269-2X

Springfield Match: Kerri Lewis, 50, Dayton, OH – 288-5X

Vintage Military Match: Kyle Kirschenmann, 62, Tellico Plains, TN – 285-7X

Modern Military Match: Jose Emmanuelli, San Juan, PR – 293-10X

Carbine Match: David Thompson, 64, Keyser, WV – 364-6X

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