SOUTH NEW BERLIN – Last weekend, Norwich resident Ernie Stagaman rung up one of his greatest achievements to date in nearly a lifetime of pitching horse shoes.

Stagaman, 53, took first place in Division “P” at the Eastern National Horseshoe Tournament in Erie, Pa., and he said it was a thrill to be surrounded by some of the top horse shoe pitchers in the world.

“I pitched right next to Walter Ray, he’s got nerves of steel,” Stagaman said excitedly, referring to the top division champion Walter Ray Williams, who is also a renowned player and champion on the Professional Bowling Association tour. “That was the highlight.”