Western Mass Combat Challenge

NEIL SIMPSON, BRIAN STAS, MATT STAS & LEN MINICK

ARE TOP FOUR

ERNIE CAROSELLA TAKES SPORTSMAN

JUNE 29, 2003 - EASTHAMPTON, MA – Twelve contestants attended this year’s running of the annual Western Mass Combat Challenge in Easthampton, Massachusetts. The weather was hot, temperatures in the low eighties, but with relatively low humidity and a moderate breeze. Summer had finally arrived in New England. Round one saw Dick Sherman and Neil Simpson get off to the best starts posting 830 point wins. Dave Parizo, Glenn Simpson and Brian Stas were all just off that pace with 725 points each. In the first match of round two Neil Simpson got past Dick Sherman, with a single cut, in a match that had lots of action. In the next match Dave Parizo jumped into a tie for the contest lead with a two cut win over Glenn Simpson. In the next match-up Len Minick earned an airtime win over Brian Stas, both pilots each getting one cut in the process. Later in round two Matt Stas jumped into contention with a three cut win over “Lil-Sherm”. In the first match of round three Neil Simpson got a two cut win over Dave Parizo in a very good match that went buzzer to buzzer. Next, Matt Stas stayed hot with a hard earned two cuts to one win over Dick Sherman. Later in the round Glenn Simpson got past Len Minick with a one cut win and Brian Stas put up a two cut win over Jeff Vader. Going into the final round Neil had 2175 points followed by Matt (2065pts), Dave (1750pts), Brian (1750pts), Glenn (1545pts),Dick (1530pts) and Len (1430pts).

The last four matches of the final round would determine the trophy winners. In the first of these matches Len Minick shot into the clubhouse lead with a three cut win over Steve Yampolsky. In the next flight Glenn Simpson and Dick Sherman flew to a one cut draw in a match that had much more action then the score suggests. In the next match Brian Stas got past Dave Parizo two cuts to one in what was, perhaps, the best match of the day. The final match saw Neil Simpson and Matt Stas square off against each other. There was lots of action with Neil getting past Matt two cuts to one in a war that went the full five minutes. The final order of finish was Neil (2900pts), Brian (2475pts), Matt (2465pts), Len (2260pts), Dave(2150pts), Glenn (2055pts) and Dick (2010pts). This was a very close and competitive contest . . . . what we all come for. Ernie Carosella, in a day long battle with “Lil Sherm”, Jeff Vader, Steve Yampolsky and Shaylene Vader, earned the Sportsman Division win. It was good to have Steve Yampolsky flying with us for the first time. It was also good to have Dave Parizo back in action. This was Dave’s first meet since mid-season last year.

Neil Simpson used a GRW tanked, OS32sx powered Carbon Coyote to earn his win. Brian and Matt Stas use the same set-up on their “Thrashers”. Both designs are a clone of the “Yankee Nipper”. Len Minick used a high aspect ratio, built up wing design that was bladder tanked and Fox combat powered. Thank You to Dave Parizo who secured permission to use the field and Cd’ed this event.

Western Mass Combat Challenge

12 contestants (8 from MA ) (2 from CT) (2 from NH)

24 matches ( no mid-airs )

(E) Neil Simpson-E.Brookfield, MA 2900pts

(A) Brian Stas-Kingston, MA 2475pts

(A) Matt Stas-Kingston, MA 2465pts

(A) Len Minick-Clinton, CT 2260pts

(E) Dave Parizo-Easthampton, MA 2150pts

(E) Glenn Simpson-Worcester, MA 2055pts

(E) Dick Sherman-Andover, MA 2040pts

(S) Ernie Carosella-Clinton, CT 1740pts

(S) “Lil Sherm-Andover, MA 1735pts

(S) Steve Yampolsky-Stoughton, MA 1530pts

(S) Jeff Vader-Franklin, NH 1510pts

(S) Shaylene Vader-Franklin, NH 1110pts