Two Centre County Residents Among Top Pennsylvania National Guard Marksmen

Two Centre County residents are among the top 20 marksmen in the Pennsylvania National Guard this year.

Cpl. Brennen Koji, of State College, came in 11th and Sgt. Joshua Wetzel, of Howard, was 19th in the Governor’s Twenty, which was held at Fort Indiantown Gap the weekend of July 13.

The Governor’s Twenty, a state-level National Guard award created in 1968, saw 70 soldiers and airmen compete with rifles and pistols in multiple courses of varying distances and shooting positions to determine the best marksmen. The award is recognized by both the Army and Air Force and is reflected on the service members’ official personnel record.

The top 20 scorers are awarded the embroidered Governor’s Twenty tab and a certificate to identify them as being outstanding marksmen.

‘This match tests the skill and strength of our Guardsmen through an intense marksmanship competition,” Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said in a news release. “This competition is the great equalizer. It does not matter whether you are Army or Air Force, officer or enlisted, young or old, or what type of unit you represent.  Whoever can shoot the best can be a Governor’s Twenty.’

Master Sgt. Gregory Neiderhiser (left), senior marksmanship coordinator at the Marksmanship Training Unit; and Sgt. Joshua Wetzel of Howard, the 19th place winner of the Governor’s Twenty match; pose with The Adjutant General of Pennsylvania Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli on July 13, 2019. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Palermo)

Senior Airman Nicholas Yackovich, of Harrison City, took first place honors.

The 2019 Governor’s Twenty recipients:  

1. Senior Airman Nicholas Yackovich, Harrison City (Westmoreland County)
2. Sgt. 1^st Class Scott Sheroky, Fredericksburg (Lebanon County)
3. Staff Sgt. Robert Lydic, Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)
4. Tech. Sgt. Joseph Mangino, New Castle (Lawrence County)
5. Sgt. Jason Goodling, York Haven (York County)
6. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Harrison, Palmyra (Lebanon County)
7. Staff Sgt. Douglas Costello, Mountain Top (Luzerne County)
8. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Richard Jones, Lebanon (Lebanon County)
9. Sgt. Stephan Duc, Fleetwood (Berks County)
10.  Sgt. Harold Littell, Wampum (Lawrence County)
11. Cpl. Brennen Koji, State College (Centre County)
12.  Sgt. 1^st Class Lance Moser, Mt. Wolf (York County)
13.  Sgt. 1^st Class Luke Heim, Pottstown (Montgomery County)
14.  Tech. Sgt. Shawn McCreary, Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)
15.  Pfc. Austin Barnhart, Lock Haven (Clinton County)
16.  Staff Sgt. Andrew Dent, Mifflinburg (Juniata County)
17.  Sgt. 1^st Class Joshua Mauger, Annville (Lebanon County)
18.  Staff Sgt. David McCloud, Annville (Lebanon County)
19.  Sgt. Joshua Wetzel, Howard (Centre County)
20.  Airman 1^st Class Patrick Michael, Aliquippa (Beaver County)