ADA - Darts in the Military: Military Cup Challenge III

Darts In The Military

Military Cup Challenge III - Results
Event Poster [PDF]
Rules & Regulations

Event Results & Wrap Up...
ADA Military Cup Challenge III - 2003
July 24, 2003 | Chicago, IL

By Karl Remick, ADA Military Representative

It's becoming a ritual. Military darters practicing for one day and one day only - to bring home the Military Cup! Sponsored by Budweiser and Coca-Cola, the Military Cup Challenge is recognized as the darting event to determine the best darters in the US military. Held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Chicago, IL, July 24th the "Cup Challenge" is open to all branches of service. All active, reserve/guard & retired are eligible.

Three-person teams compete in both English steel and Electronic soft tip divisions playing 501 singles, cricket doubles and cricket triples in a race to nine points. Three out of the five branches attended including teams from the Marines Corps (Camp Pendleton), the Navy (NOB Norfolk) and the Air Force (Sheppard AFB).

Organized and directed by the American Darters Association (ADA) headquartered in St. Louis, the Military Cup Challenge was held in conjunction with the $70,000 12th National Championship. After competing in the Cup military participants were eligible to compete in this civilian event.

The best darters in the military? Indisputably the Air Force! Going into this Cup Challenge the AF held possession of both Cups. Last year Virginia's Langley AFB defeated the Marine Corps to capture the Electronic soft tip Cup. Texas based Sheppard Air Force won the English steel tip Cup.

Now both Cups were back in Chicago and for the taking! In fact, there would be a new Electronic soft tip Cup champion as the Air Force, did not make it to the finals! Not so for the Marines Corps. The Camp Pendleton, "Wreckin Crew" fought their way through the bracket and for the third consecutive time, to the finals. Captain Mark Koziorowski, the only military member to attend every Cup Championship, looked forward to leading his team mates, Hector Sanez and Brian Beams to a Cup Championship! Their opponent, and first trip to the Military Cup finals, "Old Navy" team from NOB Norfolk, Virginia. Lead by Captain Chris Stevens, fellow members Wayne Loeschke and James Fairley were confident they could "cop" the Cup.

Once competition was underway, the Marine Corps Wrecking Crew jumped out to a 3-0 lead and seemed unstoppable. Old Navy finally scored a win and after a split of the next two points the first half ended with the score 5-3 in favor the Marines. In the second half another split made it 6-4 lead. Three more wins and the Marines could finally get the "monkey" off their back and take the Cup back to Pendleton. The Navy had other plans. Firing up the afterburners, the Navy team got hot and rattled off five straight games for a 9-6 win and the Navy's first Military Cup!

In the English steel tip finals it was an all Sheppard Air Force finals guaranteeing the Cup would go back to the Air Force! The Crew Dawgs, with Captain Rick Dailey, John Adams & Zane Hughes versus the 382 BMETS Captained by Dwayne Baca, Michael Graybeal & Fred Leighty.

The 382 BMETS came out of the gates taking 5 of the first 6 games for a commanding lead. Down but not out the Crew Dawgs won the next doubles cricket match but the BMETS took the last game in the first half to come away with a 6-2 lead. During half time teams can realign their team to offensively or defensively strengthen their position in the match.

However, realignments did not help the Crew Dawgs as the BMETS kept their momentum taking the first two points and an 8-2 lead! With their backs against the wall, the Crew Dawgs needed a miracle. They must take every point remaining in the match - seven straight to win. For the BMETS, one game and the Cup is theirs! Captain Rick Dailey took a short time out and literally huddled the team for a meeting. Whatever he said had to be inspirational as the "Dawgs" took the next six straight points to tie the match at 8-8!

The final game, a team cricket to determine who takes the Military Cup back to Texas! And what a game! After 11 rounds of swapping triples, both teams now required three bull's to win with the Crew Dawgs on the line. The throw, three tight darts surrounding the bull but only one hitting the bull! With the caliber of darts thrown throughout this match, the BMETS knew nothing less than a hat trick would do. Fred Leighty steps to the line knowing it is all on his shoulders. He throws - single bull! Second dart, - Single Bull! He only needs one more for his team to go home a champion. With confidence in his eyes, he throws......SINGLE BULL - HAT TRICK game, match, but more importantly the CUP!! 382 BMETS, 2003 Military Cup Champions! An exciting match to say the least and a valiant effort by the Crew Dawgs.

The best darters in the military? Until July 2004 the Navy and the Air Force! Plans are already underway for Military Cup Challenge IV. Date is Thursday, July 23rd. Location is the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

MCC III Soft Tip Winners: Navy Team [Norfolk Naval Operations Base]

MILITARY CUP CHALLENGE - SOFT TIP 1st
Navy - Norfolk Naval Operations Base, Virginia
Chris Stevens, NEWPORT NEWS, VA
James Fairley, VA BEACH, VA
Wayne Loeschke, VA BEACH, VA

MCC III Steel Tip Winners: Air Force Team [Sheppard Air Force Base]

MILITARY CUP CHALLENGE - STEEL TIP 1st
Air Force Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
Michael Graybeal, SHEPPARD, TX
Frederic Leighty, SHEPPARD AIR FORCE, TX
Dwayne Baca, SHEPPARD AFB, TX

For additional information regarding the Military Cup or Dart Leagues in the Military, contact ADA Military Affairs Representative, Karl Remick.
E-mail: militaryrep@adadarters.com