Ellen Nelms
After watching her husband Bob shoot for several years, Ellen Nelms of Dallas, Texas, suddenly decided she did not want to sit on the sidelines any longer. Her first venture on the skeet field was at the Cold Duck Open in 1971. She shot a 54, but without a
practice round of any kind behind her, observers were astounded. Today she tells new shooters it is not necessary to break great scores in the beginning— just have a good time, work hard, and keep learning.
Her practice and endurance led to her first selection to the Lady All-American Team in 1985. She remained on one or the other Lady Team every year including 2000 when she was named captain of the Lady All-American First Team. She has attended 19 World Shoots claiming numerous lady titles— 12 gauge 250 event in 1985 (posting 250×250); 28 gauge in 1986; .410 bore in 1996 and ’99, and Champ of Champs in 1996. She has also won the Mini-World Lady high overall in 1995 and ’96. In addition to the Mini-World, she has also earned lady HOA titles at major shoots such as U.S. Open, Bluegrass, Pan Am, Big D, North
South, Texas State, Zone 6, Old Pueblo, Comstock, Kachina, and Metropolitan. In 1985, she was the lady 12 gauge high average leader with a .9904. Texas recognized her achievements in 1994 and inducted her into the Texas State Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame.
Like many shooters, Ellen gives credit to a supportive squad over the years. When Jim Prall was shooting, they were on the same squad and Ellen credits him for teaching her discipline. She fondly remembers Doc Shima and the privilege of shooting with him.
John Shima and John Imbt have helped the quality of her shooting, and Kevin Prall and Fred Peters have also been a great support. She said, “I couldn’t have done what I’ve done without them.”
Lady shooters are a close-knit group, and they each want the other to do their best. Friend and squadmate, John Imbt said, “Ellen, quite honestly, wants to win, but if she doesn’t, she’s happy for the person who did win.” Ellen is a wonderful combination of beauty, class, and competitiveness. Her years of achievements more than qualify her to be inducted into the NSSA Hall of Fame
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