Stehlik Steals the Show at the 2026 Main Event
The best of the 2026 ELEY Benchrest Series came together for one final showdown, and the 2026 Main Event delivered a finish worthy of the name. Twenty-two of the season's top shooters battled across three targets, and when the smoke cleared, Brian Stehlik was standing on top as your 2026 Main Event Champion with 7150 and 47X!
Brian saved his best for last. He trailed Eddie Robertson by 150 points heading into the final target, then fired a perfect 2500 to storm from behind and take the title and the $2,500 first-place check.
2026 Main Event Podium
| Place | Shooter | Score | Xs | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Champion | Brian Stehlik | 7150 | 47 | $2,500 |
| 🥈 2nd | Eddie Robertson | 7100 | 42 | $1,500 |
| 🥉 3rd | James Popanz | 7050 | 48 | $1,000 |
Eddie Robertson opened with a perfect 2500 on Target 1 and finished just 50 points back in second. It caps a remarkable 2026 for Eddie, who also won the ELEY Benchrest Series points title. James Popanz took third with 7050, powered by a 2450 on Target 2, and his 48 Xs were the second-most in the field.
Final Top 10
| Place | Shooter | Target 1 | Target 2 | Target 3 | Total | Xs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Stehlik | 2350 | 2300 | 2500 | 7150 | 47 |
| 2 | Eddie Robertson | 2500 | 2300 | 2300 | 7100 | 42 |
| 3 | James Popanz | 2300 | 2450 | 2300 | 7050 | 48 |
| 4 | JR Groves | 2300 | 2250 | 2450 | 7000 | 38 |
| 5 | Brian Hagerty | 2300 | 2300 | 2350 | 6950 | 44 |
| 6 | Rick Clark | 2300 | 2300 | 2350 | 6950 | 43 |
| 7 | Jerry Stiller | 2400 | 2300 | 2225 | 6925 | 39 |
| 8 | John Weaver | 2300 | 2350 | 2250 | 6900 | 51 |
| 9 | John Prince | 2350 | 2200 | 2350 | 6900 | 42 |
| 10 | Brian Brandt | 2300 | 2250 | 2300 | 6850 | 43 |
Main Event Highlights
- Perfect targets: Two 2500s were fired in the Main Event: Eddie Robertson on Target 1 and Brian Stehlik on Target 3.
- X King: John Weaver led the field with 51 Xs, the only shooter to crack 50.
- Down to the Xs: Brian Hagerty and Rick Clark tied at 6950, with Hagerty taking 5th by a single X (44 to 43). John Weaver and John Prince also tied at 6900, separated by X count.
- Close at the top: Just 150 points separated the champion from 4th place, JR Groves, who fired a 2450 on the final target to finish one spot off the podium.
Thank You
A huge thank you to ELEY, presenting sponsor of the Professional Shooting League, and to all of our 2026 sponsors who made this season possible. Thank you to every competitor who chased a spot in the Main Event this year. Congratulations to all 22 qualifiers who earned their place on the line!
See you in 2027!