SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As the two-week World Horseshoe Pitching Championships draw to a close this weekend, one Norwich resident has already returned home with a top-three world divisional place finish.

Ernest Stagaman, in his second year competing in the world championship, took home third place in the men’s open L1 division. Stagaman tied for second-place, but lost the tiebreaker to Dave Eschenfelder of Illinois based on ringer percentage.

“You pitch for three days and they put you in a division,” Stagaman said describing the tournament format. “They count up your wins and losses in your division, and placing is determined.”

Stagaman was hot early in the tournament starting with 10 wins and no losses. One of those victories was over eventual Division L1 world champion Don Jones of Illinois. Stagaman stumbled a bit on the final day, and attributes his fall into a tie for second due to a “lousy game.”

Nonetheless, it was a fine turnaround for Stagaman, who entered last year’s world championships in York, Pennsylvania, but was unable to compete after the first day. He fell ill, and ultimately was hospitalized because of the sickness.