Frank and Lana Prenevost, drivers for the Big Rock Sports’ Elite Sports Express, a shooting sports traveling exhibit, have witnessed many unusual events during the past two years hosting the eastern region truck display. One of the most unusual occurred recently in Yankton, South Dakota.

Frank and Lana were organizing for the upcoming day’s event, when a commotion nearby caught their attention. Frank Prenevost said that his wife, Lana, noticed a riding lawn mower, upside down in the bordering lake with the operator pinned underneath and struggling for air!

“I jumped off of the coach, flew out the door and jumped in the lake to help,” recalls Frank. “The driver was pinned under the weight of the lawn mower and his co-worker was trying to hold the driver’s head up above the water so he could breathe. At that point, I went back to the truck for some hose to help him get air. I cut off a small piece and put it in his mouth, unfortunately, he was in too much distress for it to work. I yelled at some onlookers to dial 911. We then began lifting the mower up, with the driver still belted in the seat. A third co-worker began cutting the seat belt. All this happened in just a minute or two, but it would have been a minute too late, if we hadn’t gotten the mower flipped right side up! I was just glad that Lana and I had not gone out for a walk and that we were able to help.”

A more average day for the Prenevosts consists of the management of the Elite Sports Express Shooting Sports eastern region exhibit and showroom. The traveling display is one of two 75’ showrooms that travel the United States, completely outfitted with participating shooting sports manufacturers’ merchandise. The trucks travel year-round to Big Rock Sports’ dealer storefronts to promote the industry and related merchandise during 2 or 3-day events. In 2008, nearly 200 Big Rock Sports retailers participated and the program has continued to grow in 2009. More details regarding the Elite schedule may be found at www.elitesportsexpress.com.

The Elite Sports Express fleet consists of two vehicles, outfitted in regionally-specific merchandise. This enables the Big Rock Sports retailers to keep the product focused on their customers individual needs and industry requirements. The showroom touring the Western United States is sponsored by Gamo, Hornady, Leupold, Marlin, OTIS, Remington, Springfield Armory, and Western Powders. Supporting vendors for the Eastern Region traveling showroom are Gamo, Hunter’s Specialties, Leupold, OTIS, Ruger, Springfield Armory, Western Powders, and Winchester.

Big Rock Sports is the parent company of All Sports, AWR Sports, CSI Sports, Henry’s and MT Sports, wholesale sporting goods distribution centers located across the nation. Big Rock Sports companies service more than 15,000 hunting and fishing retailers from coast to coast.