California Grizzlies coaches
Robert Taylor II - 18 year Coach, 7 year grizzly
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Hometown: Sonora, CA
Nationally Distinguished High Master Works in law enforcement. Robert has been the State Junior Coach for 18 years. He has run the High Power Program at Mother Lode Gun Club for 20 years. Robert's awards are too numerous to mention and is currently on the National Civilian Marksmanship Program 4 person team started in 2016. |
Jim O'Connell- coach
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Hometown: Alameda
Nationally Distinguished High Master Retired Marine. Coalinga, Richmond and Chabot are his main rifle ranges. He has hosted 'Camp O'Connell' for the California Junior Rifle Team in Coalinga the past ten years. Jim is one of our main coaches at the National Matches. Jim awards are too numerous to mention. |
Dirk Seeley- coach
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Hometown: Chowchilla
Nationally Distinguished Master Our 'rock' at Perry. "I first went to Perry in 2001, I didn't do much coaching at first. Eventually I started coaching the 4 man team and the next year both the 4 man and 6 man at Perry. I often don't feel I do much, the kids are usually really up to speed because of all the work Jim, Robert, Chad and all the others do. So in the big matches all I have to do is keep them calm and on track." Dirk is a great presence with the juniors |
2009
Wayne Fenner- coach, Grizzly founder
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Hometown: Manhattan Beach
Aerospace Engineer 30+ years as junior coach Shooting small bore in high school & college, Wayne took up high power in 1973 joining the Burbank Rifle & Revolver Club. His son, showing interest in high power & coached by Noma Mayo, progressed to wanting to go to Nationals. In 1985, the State team was run by Bob Frushon and Dick Pritchard under the CRPA. Competing as an adult, he was pressed into organizing & coaching the juniors and soon became the coach & adult captain of the CRPA Junior High Power Team. Two outstanding juniors joined the team in the 1990's, Robert and Ed Taylor, from the Mother Lode Gun Club. They brought with them their mom, Connie, who organized much of the Junior Team's logistical support. As Robert aged out as a junior, he expressed interest in helping with the Junior Team as an adult. One of the best decisions Wayne ever made was accepting that offer and Robert took over the coaching responsibilities. One frustration working under the CRPA was limitations on fund raising and team selection. Exploring the idea of forming a statewide club that could sponsor a California junior team at Camp Perry, the NRA & CMP said that would be possible if the CRPA did not field a jr team of its own. Thus the California Grizzlies Club, Inc. was born. We organized as a 501(c)3 not for profit. The rest is history. With Robert as Coach & Connie as "team mom/coordinator", the Grizzlies have risen to National prominence. Wayne is still the titular head of the Grizzlies & takes great pride in their accomplishments. |
2014
morgan owen-coach, 7 year grizzly
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Hometown: Sonora
Nationally Distinguished Master Morgan has moved from being a Grizzly to being a Grizzly coach as he continues his shooting career. In February 2017 Morgan became a Senior at California State University, Monterey Bay. After graduation he hopes to shoot for the AMU and attend flight school to fly Apache helicopters. Morgan enjoys running cross country in the Sierra Nevada and finding new ways to improve his high power shooting. Recent awards include: 2016 Team member for Freedom Fire Trophy setting a new National Record; New match record on 6 man team; First place junior team in NTIT; High Collegiate during NRA week. |
Chad Kurgan- coach, 7 year grizzly
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Hometown: Fresno
Nationally Distinguished High Master California Distinguished Rifleman Works in law enforcement. Firing member of the 2009 National All Around Champion NTIT (Rattle Battle). Awards to numerous to list; Presidents 100, numerous National Records, California Championships as well as 2011 National Service Rifle Champion are a few. He was a 2011 Canadian American LR Junior Champion. Chad likes to coach High Power, and enjoys cross-country flights, inspirational films & books. |
Anthony Henderson- coach, 6 year grizzly
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Hometown: Sonora
Nationally Distinguished High Master Anthony stepped up from being a Grizzly to being a Grizzly coach in 2013. He was on the winning, record setting NTIT in 2009 at the National Match. Anthony graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz with a degree in molecular cell & developmental biology. He had worked for Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc. as a research associate, but is now in Reno changing jobs. He would like to see what is out there in other areas of biology such as wildlife & watershed management. This would be by continuing education or finding a job that would relate to his other interests. In Anthony's off time he enjoys hunting, fishing, shooting, biking, hiking & anything that is active. |
Folsom/Sacramento Range
John Henderson- junior team armourer
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Hometown: Sonora
Nationally Distinguished Master, President's 100, Team Armorer I have been working with, customizing, assembling & competing with the AR-15 rifle since 1979! My son was on the Grizzlies involving me that much more with the team. The AR is the perfect rifle for a junior team; easy to work on & maintain. After much shooting & testing, the more I proved to myself that this AR was the way to go, Bullet Button & all. I am so proud of the Grizzlies & the Adults the program turns out, the AR-15 rifle is the conduit to the team's performance. I assemble parts, diagnose troubles, change barrels & do what I can to help the juniors with their rifles, but the bottom line is they have to care & maintain the rifle they compete with. I am an armorer for the team and do not consider myself a gun smith. A Gun Smith can make parts from scratch & operate a variety of machine shop tools. I change a lot of parts, order parts & identify when things are worn-out. |
2008
Roger Tidball-team dad/press man, 6 years at Nationals
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Hometown: Jamestown
He has been a great chaperone and asset to the Grizzlies over the years. Staying with the juniors in the huts, driver, taking photos, what ever was needed. |
connie taylor - team mom, 19 years at nationals, 22 years grizzly
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Hometown: Sonora
I enjoy my children, grandchildren and all the juniors involved in the program. Involved since my sons were juniors, there are many fine young adults who've evolved out of this program. We see that everything and everyone is taken care of so they can better focus on shooting to the best of their abilities. We want our juniors to turn into the best adults they can be, both on and off the range since they are our future. Many of our young adults have gone from the team to the Citadel, USAMU, Air Force, Maritime Academies, Marines, Navy, Annapolis...... Many have graduated college, gone in to law enforcement, or just helped to coach other new youth in the shooting program. Each one is as important as the other. |
Lynn Bahten- team mom, 10 years at nationals
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Hometown: Jamestown
My goal is to make sure the team is in good shape and can put their energy into their shooting. I want to help them be the be the very best young adults they can be, on and off the range. "It is my pleasure to work with and to help these young adults. It is great to watch them grow with each year. They are our future; we all need to do what we can to help them grow up to be smart, responsible adults." |
wanda greenwood - team mom, 6 years at nationals
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Hometown: Ceres
She is a big supporter and important team mom of the Grizzlies. She has volunteered her time at Nationals and at Camp O'Connell in June for a week as team mom and chaperone. That is quite a sacrifice she makes for the good of the team. At Camp Perry she helps take care of the juniors, meals, grocery shopping and laundry among other things. |
