CHP OFFICERS TAKE BEST SHOTS : SOUTHLAND STATIONS COMPETE AT GUN CLUB.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

Accuracy and concentration are the keys to shooting half a dozen bowling pins. But to knock one over, you have to shoot it low where the body is heaviest - otherwise it just wobbles.

That's what nearly 100 California Highway Patrol officers found out Tuesday during a daylong combat shooting competition at the Oak Tree Gun Club outside the city of Santa Clarita.

``It's a different way of shooting for us,'' said Officer Wendy Moore, spokeswoman for the Newhall CHP station, which fielded three 4-person teams. ``It's a little more interesting and challenging for us.''

The event drew sharp-shooters from as far away as South Los Angeles and Santa Fe Springs and as near as the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys.

The Newhall station's two teams placed first and third with the West Los Angeles station placing second.

Participants were tested on their speed and accuracy as they shot paper silhouettes of armed suspects, including one holding a hostage. Points were earned for hitting suspects and deducted for hitting innocent bystanders, such as the hostage. And the marksmen had to do it on the run while diving for cover behind a patrol car and reloading their standard issue .40 calibur Smith and Wesson handguns.

``It's an outstanding course,'' said Antelope Valley Sgt. Ben Dibene after completing the course. ``I like the movement here. You have to think as you move.''

The bowling pins were the most unusual targets in the contest. Weighing 3 -1/2 pounds, the pins resemble a human head and upper torso and are difficult to hit.

``The bowling pins are challenging because you have to hit the lower two-thirds otherwise they just wobble,'' Moore said.

That's what Antelope Valley Sgt. Andria Witmer discovered after an errant shot failed to knock one pin down. But the soon-to-be lieutenant was pleased with her performance. She scored at least 280 points out of a possible 300 and, unlike last year, missed the hostage.

``Concentration on the target and control of the weapon with a good firm grip and straight arm - that's when you hit the pins,'' she said.

Practice paid off for the day's top shooter A.J. Torres, an Antelope Valley traffic officer, who earned a perfect score of 300 in just 1 minute and 32 seconds.

Tuesday's competition ``was a little easier because when we train we train harder,'' said Torres who honed his skills twice a month at a local firing range that featured uphill targets.

For Newhall Officer John Manduca, the competition was a chance to practice a sport he's enjoyed ever since toting his first BB gun at the age of 7.

``It's the same competitive type sport as baseball and football,'' he said. ``You need concentration and practice to build your skill level.''

CAPTION(S):

4 Photos

Photo: (1--AV only) Sgt. Andrea Witmer of the Antelope V alley station runs to her next target Tuesday at the Oak Tree Gun Club in Newhall.

(2--SAC only) A CHP officer competes at Tuesday's combat shooting competition at the Oak Tree Gun Club.

(3--SAC only--color) Antelope Valley CHP officers show their support for a teammate.

(4--AV and SAC--color) Sgt. Andrea Witmer of the Antelope Valley station fires at a target Tuesday during the CHP shooting competition at the Oak Tree Gun Club in Newhall.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News