Posted: 5/11/2025 12:27:14 PM EDT
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Welcome to the results thread where you're encouraged to post pictures and videos from the event. I'll be updating this post a couple of times as I collect my thoughts and data. First, I want to thank everyone, from the runners and fee payers to the sponsors, staff, co-host (PaddlinFoolWV) and others that made this event possible. I couldn't have done it without each of you!  Even though I've done this sort of thing before, there's always lessons learned and areas that could be improved. I welcome constructive feedback to integrate in (hopeful) future events.We started with a list of about 50, but had a lot of last minute drops, and there were a few of us that didn't run for various reasons, so there are far less names on this list than I would like. As I compiled data from the score sheets, I noticed a couple of errors that needed to be corrected. Most didn't change standings, but there was one big move, so please study the list carefully, or don't:  1 Matt5454 0:45:41 2 EagleRare 0:49:54 3 Corky 0:51:23 4 Spiritzerothree 0:56:34 5 Thew 1:09:05 6 ThePossum 1:16:00 7 Woodframe 1:28:07 8 Jamie_Leo 1:33:23 9 WhiskersTheCat 1:33:30 10 PaddlinFoolWV 1:38:19 11 FookYourself 1:43:27 12 TwinFrost 1:51:42 13 WeaponsFree 1:54:40 14 ScareCrow 1:58:47 15 Asymptotik 2:02:02 16 Houtzw163200 2:02:31 17 FreddyR 2:06:27 18 AtropianDefector 2:09:57 19 Trogyjunior 2:17:38 20 TrojanMan 2:17:59 21 Deny_Everything 2:19:33 22 Jay_K_47 2:21:23 23 CookeMonsterActual 2:22:30 24 YomKippur 2:23:23 25 PolishSasquash 2:44:30 26 FS 2:50:35 27 Norufu 3:14:57 28 Ronin 3:17:06 Red is for combat runs, green is for night, blue is for newb, and teal-ish is for those that ran in the rain. In particular, I want to thank and congratulate Matt5454 for getting up early to help me finish setting up in the rain. Then turning around, doing his run (still in the rain), and stepping up to run people for almost the entire day! EagleRare was just a couple minutes behind with the top combat run and YomKippur was our top night runner, and the only person to fail the AK station. Other notable mentions include Corky and Spiritzerothree for cleaning the rifle range and JayK47 for cleaning pistol. I wanted to make a super difficult course of fire, but saner minds prevailed, and even then I think I may have gone just a bit too far given some of the statistics which are discussed below. As many of you know, I like numbers - particularly when they are in the form of currency! I'll be compiling the expense reports in the next couple of days and posting them up. It's not cheap to rent a range and put on a good event, but thanks to various sponsors and individuals who contributed more than required, I expect we'll end in the black for this event! Some other numbers which may be interesting: the handstand walk had a 50% completion rate, while the balance beam was slightly higher at 53.6%, and the hanging conex shimmy was the lowest at 46.4%. The flight of the mothman unsurprisingly had a 100% pass rate, but some attempts were more vigorous and believable than others! I think I need a few more heavy things to move, since the temple raid also had a 100% pass rate. At the end of the day, 7 people (25%) were clean on the obstacles, peep & ak station and the run. Moving into the shooting, we required double impacts on a 12" round at 202 yards, a coyote at 293 yards, a pig at 487 and 16" gongs at 500 and 536 from a large tire or tank trap, followed by dropping the mag and engaging a red, reduced size IPSC at 297. Then, shooters were supposed to run down the road to engage a full size IPSC at 687 yards with two impacts from a shooting bench and chair. After that, they engaged the coyote with two impacts(now at 183 yards) from a nearby standing, unsupported position and a 3" throom at under 5 yards with a single impact. Then they repeated the coyote and throom sequence from their non-dominant side before dropping their mag and engaging the HVT from any position at 189 yards (approx). Some shooters chose to pass on the second rifle engagement (in the interest of staying within the 15 minute range time limit) and move straight to the pistol work. Those that were better shots suffered more during the pistol engagement since they had to run (or walk/waddle) back from the near/far rifle engagements. I failed to record distances for the pistol targets, but the course of fire required hits on 3 poppers at an estimated 20-40 yards using strong hand only, followed by weak hand only. Then, they could use their preferred unsupported position to engage a MOA Targets Mini-Mo and pair of spinners at about 30 yards, and a 16" gong at ranged 110 yards, finally dropping the mag and engaging a small HVT popper at about 15 yards. This is where the statistics get interesting: 92.9% hit the 202 yard target and 89.3% successfully engaged the coyote. The pig was a figurative bear, since it was bracketed in foliage that obscured misses extremely well, and 53.6% managed one hit but only 42.9% scored a second impact. The green round at 500 fared better at 60.7% for one impact and 57.1% for two. Meanwhile, the 536 yard orange round had a 50% completion rate. The HVT had a much lower hit rate than I expected at 35.7%. Moving into the second rifle engagement, 39.3% of runners scored hits on the IPSC at 687, and the coyote shot strong side had a decent 78.6% completion rate (considering that some didn't make it to this section), while the throom was just a touch lower at 71.4%. Weak side shooting saw a measurable decrease with 71.4% making one impact and only 57.1% making a second, while the throom was only a touch better at 60.7%. Despite the HVT being notably closer and various props being available, the HVT was hit an abysmal 21.4% (6 times). I think the added exertion helped make the pistol shooting particularly difficult.  Strong hand engagements had 78.6%, 82.1% and 75% clearance rates, while weak hand dropped to 64.3%, 50% and 39.3%. They weren't the easiest of engagements! The mini-mo was successfully engaged 89.3% of the time, while the smaller spinner was spun 57.1% of the time. This generally required 3 decent hits on the bottom paddle, or a pair of alternating hits. We discovered that the larger spinner had some issues, so just getting it moving decently was all that we required, and this happened 42.9% of the time. The 110 yard gong was hit 53.6% of the time, which is respectable, given the size and distance involved, plus the ammo expended on other targets. The ammo situation probably also affected the HVT completion rate, which while it was closer than all the rest, was only hit 6 times (or 21.4%). Moving into the chug, 96.4% completed their first can, 92.9% for the second, 78.6% 3rd, 64.3% 4th, 60.7% 5th, and 53.6% for the final can. Technically, these percentages should be a bit higher, since one unfortunate soul failed a 2L attempt, but either way 39.3% (11 people) cleaned the chug. Wrapping up the statistics: 4 people (14.3%) cleared the first rifle engagement and 3 people (10.7%) cleared the second engagement. The HVT was a particularly harsh mistress, since 6 people appear to have been robbed of a clean rifle one engagement due to that miss. Similarly, 5 people could have had a clean rifle two run by making that impact. The pistol HVT claimed 3 clean pistol engagements, and the 110 yard gong claimed 1. As noted above, we had two competitors clear the rifle range and one that cleared the pistol range. However, no one managed to clean shooting, and thus no one was able to do a clean run. Notably, Matt5454 was robbed of a clean run solely by the HVT's and EagleRare would have had a clean pistol run if it weren't for that pesky little popper. Corky would have had a clean pistol run had he been able to make the 110 yard pistol shot and if Spirit would have worked on weak hand shooting and the HVT...well...he could have had a clean pistol run as well. I'm sure I'm missing a few things that I could point out, but I'm hoping that each of you who came out learned something about yourself and your equipment at this event. The spirit of Cola (in my opinion) is getting together with like minded individuals, suffering, learning lessons and hopefully getting better as a result. If that's what happened, then this event was a success in my book! Finally, I want to thank our sponsors, both real and meme: Many of you know Mitch, the colorful guy who likes rocks way too much, but he also sells things as MOA Targets and the ATF Convenience Store. Well he would, at least if his websites were up to date and functioning well... Moth Ridge Development Group Big Chungus Slop Wagon - food & stickers Cork Battle Labs - stickers Squid Works Battle Laboratory Duramag - lots of magazines Amateur Hour Arms! Possum's Bourbon and Gun Emporium - water The Krinkworks bacon and AK mag? Onisty Innovation - slings jamie_leo - lots of 3D printed goodies Mid-tier Snobs - slings and handstops Slurry Concepts Loco Engineer - lots of funding HTS (High Tier Snobs) - buttstock Peacemaker National Training Center - discount on facilities, trash disposal Evolve Weapons Systems - AR receiver set and Glock 19 slide River and Trail Outfitters - 5 portajohns, van and trailer usage among other things Please thank and support them! Also, remember to thank regular Cola Warrior sponsors like Geissele, Esstac, and others, particularly if you received some rehomed gear from them! Last, but not least, a group photo. Attached File |
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Based on run times, you are all incredibly fat, or the event was pretty tough. Or maybe both. Well done all! The MOA Targets and ATF Convenience Store prizes should be there Monday for embezzlement. In the mean time, participants can PM me for a discount code on the forthcoming MOA site, and or to have some stickers shipped to you. |
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Quoted: Based on run times, you are all incredibly fat, or the event was pretty tough. Or maybe both. Well done all! The MOA Targets and ATF Convenience Store prizes should be there Monday for embezzlement. In the mean time, participants can PM me for a discount code on the forthcoming MOA site, and or to have some stickers shipped to you. It's definitely a "get both" situation!
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| Thanks for putting on an awesome event Dale! Obstacles were fun and just enough suffering. The shooting portion was just hard enough to make it a struggle fest. 10/10 event. Big shout out to James for big pile of awesome 3D printed stuff. Hopefully we can do this all again next year. |
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Quoted: Based on run times, you are all incredibly fat, or the event was pretty tough. Or maybe both. Well done all! The MOA Targets and ATF Convenience Store prizes should be there Monday for embezzlement. In the mean time, participants can PM me for a discount code on the forthcoming MOA site, and or to have some stickers shipped to you. Both for sure Shooting clearly ate some lunches (coincidentally the competitors did too)
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Quoted: Based on run times, you are all incredibly fat, or the event was pretty tough. Or maybe both. Well done all! The MOA Targets and ATF Convenience Store prizes should be there Monday for embezzlement. In the mean time, participants can PM me for a discount code on the forthcoming MOA site, and or to have some stickers shipped to you. I had to look twice at those run times. |
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Shoutout to staff, kitchen, host, and sponsors! Couldn't have done it without you! Had a blast hanging out and seeing all the boys in the rain, cold, and bug swarms. Not sure what the national state bird of WV is but I'm going to assume gnats. Penalties were definitely getting handed out left and right, especially if you showed up with an unzeroed/only boresighted rifle, didn't know your dope, an overly adjusted adjustable gasblock, not enough magnification, an Aimpoint P2 that kept turning off, turned right instead of left on the run, or didn't have an illuminator to pair with your clipon. Can't wait to hopefully do it all again next year!! Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Quoted: That was the hardest course of fire I ran in 20ish Cola events. My holds were about 3ft low and no help from spotters I choked bad but still retained "Most Mediocre" I wanted to give you calls but we were instructed not to. You were consistent on your misses though.
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Quoted: Shoutout to staff, kitchen, host, and sponsors! Couldn't have done it without you! Had a blast hanging out and seeing all the boys in the rain, cold, and bug swarms. Not sure what the national state bird of WV is but I'm going to assume gnats. Penalties were definitely getting handed out left and right, especially if you showed up with an unzeroed/only boresighted rifle, didn't know your dope, an overly adjusted adjustable gasblock, not enough magnification, an Aimpoint P2 that kept turning off, turned right instead of left on the run, or didn't have an illuminator to pair with your clipon. Can't wait to hopefully do it all again next year!! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/310432/IMG_5357_jpeg-3538439.JPGhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/310432/IMG_5399_jpeg-3538443.JPGhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/310432/IMG_5388_jpeg-3538446.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/310432/IMG_5483_jpeg-3538448.JPGhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/310432/IMG_5475_jpeg-3538449.JPG Its actually a cardinal. Full write up coming in later tonight from me. In almost a decade this may have been the best event I've ever been to. Hands down. |
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Quoted: That was the hardest course of fire I ran in 20ish Cola events. My holds were about 3ft low and no help from spotters I choked bad but still retained "Most Mediocre" Quoted: Quoted: That course of fire sounds rough. That was the hardest course of fire I ran in 20ish Cola events. My holds were about 3ft low and no help from spotters I choked bad but still retained "Most Mediocre" What stood out that made it more difficult than my Keystone 2 course of fire? KS2 also didn't allow correction calls, and IIRC had more targets for both rifle and pistol, although this had a much longer movement phase and bigger jumps in distance. |
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Quoted: What stood out that made it more difficult than my Keystone 2 course of fire? KS2 also didn't allow correction calls, and IIRC had more targets for both rifle and pistol, although this had a much longer movement phase and bigger jumps in distance. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: That course of fire sounds rough. That was the hardest course of fire I ran in 20ish Cola events. My holds were about 3ft low and no help from spotters I choked bad but still retained "Most Mediocre" What stood out that made it more difficult than my Keystone 2 course of fire? KS2 also didn't allow correction calls, and IIRC had more targets for both rifle and pistol, although this had a much longer movement phase and bigger jumps in distance. IMHO it was the wind. Both velocity when we happened to be there, and the effect of the local topography on it. Combine that with engaging 2 target arrays on azimuths almost 90 degrees apart and the target holds got a little...interesting. |
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Quoted: Why do you think it's going to take a couple days for me to put together my accounting?  Quoted: Quoted: Looks like a very successful event and fun has had So long as all the bribes were embezzled Why do you think it's going to take a couple days for me to put together my accounting? Your newest agency - AJAID - needs additional funds to cover travel and other potentially related expenses. |
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Sounds like another awesome event!!!!!! Sorry I missed this, work and personal schedule didn't work out. Congrats to the winners and all the participants and awesome job to the staff!!!! Miss you guys.  I also like the idea of RO's and others not providing shot corrections on the range. Short of some one being a truly new shooter I have typically remained quiet at East.
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Quoted: Your newest agency - AJAID - needs additional funds to cover travel and other potentially related expenses. Quoted: Sounds like another awesome event!!!!!! Sorry I missed this, work and personal schedule didn't work out. Congrats to the winners and all the participants and awesome job to the staff!!!! Miss you guys. I also like the idea of RO's and others not providing shot corrections on the range. Short of some one being a truly new shooter I have typically remained quiet at East. I wish both of you (and several others) would have been able to attend. But we'll catch up at East or other events soon! Quoted: How many people realized that 77SMK/TMK would have been a better choice than M193 during the rifle obstacle? Hopefully no one? But Cola Warriors aren't exactly known for their comprehension skills, so I'm going to guess there were a couple.  Quoted: Thank you boys for making my first Cola event an amazing one. The event, the people, and the food were all amazing. Cleared the 2 liter chug! Good use of a first post right here! |
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I didn't take many pictures during the event, but here are a few of my favorites. Run course: Attached File MOA's rock exchange store, manned by local talent. Attached File Corky shooting semi-gangster style: Attached File Wizards on balance beam delivering moonshine to under-served individuals: Attached File HVT which should have 50-something impacts: Attached File |
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I think there are more impacts on the 687 yard target: Attached File Full size SUV's and trucks aren't the ideal transportation method for getting to some targets, so my crew and I did some hiking. I didn't think about recording the activity at first: Attached File Attached File Top non-staff/host newbie: Attached File We didn't get milkman, so this is the stand-in from my drive home: Attached File |
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Quoted: What stood out that made it more difficult than my Keystone 2 course of fire? KS2 also didn't allow correction calls, and IIRC had more targets for both rifle and pistol, although this had a much longer movement phase and bigger jumps in distance. Sheer number of targets. Agree also to what others said on multiple angles and terrain heights added to messing with dope with that wind. Multiple off hand shots and needed double taps. The one the surprised me the most, that green 3in at 5yrds and the rifle height over bore that fucks with the idea of sighting the shot. Was wild |
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Quoted: Sheer number of targets. Agree also to what others said on multiple angles and terrain heights added to messing with dope with that wind. Multiple off hand shots and needed double taps. The one the surprised me the most, that green 3in at 5yrds and the rifle height over bore that fucks with the idea of sighting the shot. Was wild Keystone, and the close in rifle shot caused me to get a red dot for my rifle and verify POA/POI for close in shots. |
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Quoted: Sheer number of targets. Agree also to what others said on multiple angles and terrain heights added to messing with dope with that wind. Multiple off hand shots and needed double taps. The one the surprised me the most, that green 3in at 5yrds and the rifle height over bore that fucks with the idea of sighting the shot. Was wild Understood Quoted: Keystone, and the close in rifle shot caused me to get a red dot for my rifle and verify POA/POI for close in shots. It's good to know that I accomplished one of my goals for Keystone! |
@Matt5454 your mount from East 11 went to a good home, even if it went on a relative to a trashcan gun!  Attached File Attached File |
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Thanks to Dale and the rest of the staff who organized this and made it happen. Thanks to all the sponsors, notably Geissele, Mid Tier Snobs for the sweet stickers and other stuff, Duramag for the tiger stripe mags, MOA Targets and ATF Convenience store. This was my seventh Cola Warrior, and I think this was overall the most fun I’ve had at one. (And not just because I won). Great location, great food, great course, and great conversations. I wish some more of the friends I’ve made at East and Keystone were able to make it. I’ve been slowly improving my skills and learning what equipment to upgrade for the most cost/benefit as I learn from each one. This weekend I learned I need to work on single hand pistol, and not screw up the HVTs! I’m also really glad I’ve made the jump to 6 Arc, that made hitting the far targets much easier. Jamie thanks for all the 3D printed stuff, I love the gold chain! Nick, I’m still not sure what to do with a 6 lb can of nacho cheese but thanks! See you guys at East! |
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Quoted: @Matt5454 your mount from East 11 went to a good home, even if it went on a relative to a trashcan gun! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/316444/1000015239_jpg-3538743.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/316444/1000015240_jpg-3538741.JPG Glad it’s being used, looks like we can replace the gold shotgun with that AK next year! |
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Quoted: Glad it’s being used, looks like we can replace the gold shotgun with that AK next year! Quoted: Quoted: @Matt5454 your mount from East 11 went to a good home, even if it went on a relative to a trashcan gun! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/316444/1000015239_jpg-3538743.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/316444/1000015240_jpg-3538741.JPG Glad it’s being used, looks like we can replace the gold shotgun with that AK next year! IDK...you were a massive help at this event, but some things (like my glorious AK-ish shotgun) should not be replaced.
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Quoted: Sheer number of targets. Agree also to what others said on multiple angles and terrain heights added to messing with dope with that wind. Multiple off hand shots and needed double taps. The one the surprised me the most, that green 3in at 5yrds and the rifle height over bore that fucks with the idea of sighting the shot. Was wild Quoted: Quoted: What stood out that made it more difficult than my Keystone 2 course of fire? KS2 also didn't allow correction calls, and IIRC had more targets for both rifle and pistol, although this had a much longer movement phase and bigger jumps in distance. Sheer number of targets. Agree also to what others said on multiple angles and terrain heights added to messing with dope with that wind. Multiple off hand shots and needed double taps. The one the surprised me the most, that green 3in at 5yrds and the rifle height over bore that fucks with the idea of sighting the shot. Was wild All of that, plus the single hand pistol shots at tiny targets from strong and weak side after running out and back. Keystone 2 had a whole bunch of pistol but it was all two handed, and some on the bus allowed support. |
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Quoted: All of that, plus the single hand pistol shots at tiny targets from strong and weak side after running out and back. Keystone 2 had a whole bunch of pistol but it was all two handed, and some on the bus allowed support. Yeah, the single handed shots fucking sucked. That was an unpleasant surprise. |
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Quoted: All of that, plus the single hand pistol shots at tiny targets from strong and weak side after running out and back. Keystone 2 had a whole bunch of pistol but it was all two handed, and some on the bus allowed support. Quoted: Yeah, the single handed shots fucking sucked. That was an unpleasant surprise. Makes sense on both points. I was thinking I threw something similar into KS1/2, but looking over my notes indicates that it was only rifle stuff. Do either of you think I should have reduced the target distances for that set of engagements? |
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Quoted: All of that, plus the single hand pistol shots at tiny targets from strong and weak side after running out and back. Keystone 2 had a whole bunch of pistol but it was all two handed, and some on the bus allowed support. The bus is supposed to be a target
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Quoted: The bus is supposed to be a target Quoted: Quoted: All of that, plus the single hand pistol shots at tiny targets from strong and weak side after running out and back. Keystone 2 had a whole bunch of pistol but it was all two handed, and some on the bus allowed support. The bus is supposed to be a target Sure, let's go with that since it's not my event any more.
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Quoted: Makes sense on both points. I was thinking I threw something similar into KS1/2, but looking over my notes indicates that it was only rifle stuff. Do either of you think I should have reduced the target distances for that set of engagements? Ehh I think we all just need to get better. Looking at your data, strong hand had 75ish% get all three, weak hand had 40ish% get all three? What percentage is your goal? |
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Quoted: Word to the homies who dumped the entire trash can looking for the bolt that was in the shotgun the whole time Quoted: Quoted: IDK...you were a massive help at this event, but some things (like my glorious AK-ish shotgun) should not be replaced. Word to the homies who dumped the entire trash can looking for the bolt that was in the shotgun the whole time Who attempted to AJ it? |
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Quoted: Makes sense on both points. I was thinking I threw something similar into KS1/2, but looking over my notes indicates that it was only rifle stuff. Do either of you think I should have reduced the target distances for that set of engagements? My frame of reference for single handed shots is 7 yards on a full size silhouette. I don't know what range the poppers were, but they are obviously much smaller. I don't think those shots were impossible, but they were definitely challenging. What's the data for hits on those targets? |
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Quoted: Ehh I think we all just need to get better. Looking at your data, strong hand had 75ish% get all three, weak hand had 40ish% get all three? What percentage is your goal? Quoted: My frame of reference for single handed shots is 7 yards on a full size silhouette. I don't know what range the poppers were, but they are obviously much smaller. I don't think those shots were impossible, but they were definitely challenging. What's the data for hits on those targets? Average hit percentage on strong hand only was 78.6%, or looking at the data another way, 71.4% hit all three. Unsurprisingly, I didn't have an exact criteria in mind for this, but if pressed to assign a number, I would have said 80-85% completion rate would be my goal. Weak hand only averaged 51.2% hit percentage, with 35.7% clearing all three. I'd say I would have preferred to see closer to a 60% metric for this engagement, but it's not a hard science by any stretch of the imagination. |
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Quoted: The bus is supposed to be a target Quoted: Quoted: All of that, plus the single hand pistol shots at tiny targets from strong and weak side after running out and back. Keystone 2 had a whole bunch of pistol but it was all two handed, and some on the bus allowed support. The bus is supposed to be a target That was priceless, never would have thought anyone could fuck that up. 
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