WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS REPORT - USA Shootingoccur two years after the Olympic Games. The WSC every four...

Volume 19, Number 5 ● September/October 2010The Official Publication of Olympic Shooting Sports

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS REPORT

John Mullins

www.usashooting.org 3

SEPT/OCT 2010VOLUME 19, NO.5

FEATURES 16 World Championship ■ Katie McGinty

21 Paralympic World Championship Update ■ Katie McGinty

23 Nationals 2010 ■ Calah Duryea 27 Athlete of the Month ■ Katie McGinty

DISCIPLINES11 Pistol ■ Eric Pueppke

12 Rifle ■ Marcus Raab

14 Shotgun ■ Anonymous

COLUMNS 4 From the Editor ■ Katie McGinty

6 Aim with AMU ■ SFC Theresa DeWitt

8 On the Firing Line ■ J.P. O’Connor

10 Coaches’ Corner ■ National Rifle Coach, Major Dave Johnson

ON THE COMPLEX 29 Thoughts from: The Executive Director Operations Marketing Competitions

24

Contents

USA Shooting1 Olympic Plaza

Colorado Springs, CO 80909Phone: 719-866-4670

Administration Fax: 719-635-7989Competitions Fax: 719-866-4884

Lindsay BrookeCompetitions Manager

[email protected]

Calah DuryeaCoaches’ Assistant/Team Manager

[email protected]

Buddy DuVallDirector of Marketing

[email protected]

Bret EricksonNational Shotgun Coach

[email protected]

Lisa EricksonOperation and Administrative Assistant

[email protected]

Bob FothNational Paralympic Coach

[email protected]

David JohnsonNational Rifle Coach

[email protected]

Nicole LevineCompetitions Assistant

[email protected]

Sergey LuzovNational Pistol Coach

[email protected]

Katie McGintyMedia & Public Relations Manager

[email protected]

Robert MitchellChief Executive Officer

[email protected]

Nichole RaeMembership & Merchandise Manager

[email protected]

Bill RoyDirector of Operations

[email protected]

Corrie WestMarketing Manager

[email protected]

Karie WrightController

719-866-4887

Editor: Katie McGintyDesigner: Micki BensonPrinting: Sport Graphics

Cover Photo: Katie McGinty

Contributors:SFC Theresa DeWitt

Eric PueppkeMajor Dave Johnson

Marcus RaabCalah DuryeaCorrie WestBob MitchellJP O’Connor

Bill Roy

From the Editor

USA Shooting Newsispublishedsixtimesayear.USAShootingisthenationalgoverningbodyforOlympicShootingsportsintheUnitedStates.USA Shooting Newsisproducedasaservicetointernationalshooters,coaches,officialsandmediawhocoverOlympic-styleshooting.ShootersfeaturedinUSA Shooting Newsmagazinemaybephotographedwithouteyeprotec-tion.Theseareposedphotographsusingunloadedgunsanddonotrepresentactualcompetiton.USAShootingencouragesall shooters tousepropereyeandearprotectionwhenshooting. Inclusionofadvertisements inUSAShootingdoesnotconstitiuteendorsementofadvertisedproductsorservicesbyUSAShooting,itsstafforitssponsors.

4 USA Shooting News

DuringmytimeattheWorldShootingChampionships,IhadthepleasureofroomingwithCathyArnot,oneoftheverytalentedphysiotherapistsfortheUSAShootingTeamandaPhysicalTherapyProfessorattheUniversityofSouthCarolina.CathyandtheTeam’sotherphysio,NickPotter,workaroundtheclocktokeepourteamstretched,warm,andphysicallyhealthy.Asahugeproponentofthebenefitsof

physicalfitness,Iinvitedaprofessionaltodiscusshowtostayhealthyinpreparationfor,orduringamajorcompetitionandthroughoutyourshootingcareer.

Q:Whatisthemostimportantcomponentofexercisethatashootershouldemployinhisorherfitnessregimen?

A:Corestrengthisessentialforprovidingastablebaseofsupportfortheshootingathlete.Rifleshootersshouldalsofocusonflexibility,whereasshotgunandpistolathletesalsoneedflexibilitybutshouldplaceanemphasisonstrength—especiallyshoulders,arm,andcoreendurance.Theirbod-ieshavetobeequippedtonotonlysupporttheirguns,butalsoendureandabsorbtherecoiloftheguns.Also,whetherbeginningfromscratchorchangingyourroutine,pleasebesuretoconsultwithafitnessprofessionalorphysicaltherapistpriortobeginninganewexerciseregimen.

Q:Whatparticularflexibilityexerciseswouldbenefitrifleshooters?A:Therewasastudyconductedonrifleandpistolshootersinvestigatingthecorrelationbetween

flexibilityandlowerbackpain.Lowbackpainiscommonamongrifleshootersandcanbecomesoseverethatmanyeitherleavethesportorchoosetoshootthepronepositiononly.TheresearchfindingsindicatedthatthereisapositivecorrelationbetweenbackpainandITbandandhamstringtightness.Increasedflexibilityinbothmayhelppreventlowbackpain.Thus,eitherageneralflex-ibilityprogram(withfocusontheITbandandhamstrings)ormostformsofyogaareacceptable,aslongastheneckisinasafeposition.

Q:Whyareworkingoutandstretchinganimportantpartofshooting?A:Bothareessentialtoinjurypreventionandtheabilityofassumingone’sshootingpositionthat

isnecessaryforbetterstability.Themostcommonflexibilityproblemsacrossalldisciplinesaretightuppertrapezius,hamstrings,ITbands,hipflexors,andchest/pectoralmuscles.Onthecontrary,themostcommonmuscularweaknessesarethedeep(transverse)abdominalmuscles,externalshoulderrotators,scapularstabilizers,anddeepneckflexors.

Q:WhatshouldIdoifIhaveaninjurythatonlyflaresupwhenshooting?A:First,discusstheinjurywithyourcoachandahealthcareprofessionaltodiscovertheunderlyingcause.Itmaybeabiomechanicalissuesuchasflatfeet,aleglengthdiscrepancy,ormuscleimbal-ance—tightnessorweakness.Anotheroptionisarepetitivetrainingerrororincorrectform.

Q:WhydoIneedtomaintainoverallfitnessifI’mashooter?A:Forallthreedisciplines,maintainingahighlevelofcardiovascularandoverallfitnesscanhelp

preventinjury,decreasetheeffectsofjetlag,andincreaseyourendurance.Nottomention,improveanathlete’sscores!

■KatieMcGinty

Five Minutes with Cathy arnot

Columns (Aim with AMU)

6 USA Shooting News

The World Shooting Championships: A Prestigious History

TheSuperbowl.Wimbledon.TheKentuckyDerby.TheInternationalShootingSportsFederation(ISSF)WorldShootingChampionships(WSC).Noneofthesesport-ingeventsaretheOlympicGames.Shootingisoneoffewsportsintheworldthatispracticedatcompetitive

levelsbymenandwomen,aswellasjuniorathletes,inallconti-nents,withnoexclusions.ManyshootingathleteswouldarguethatwinningtheWorldChampionshipsisamuchmoredemandingandsatisfyingaccomplishmentthaneventheOlympicGames.TheWSChostsmorecountriesandcompetitors—thebestofthebest—whereas,intheOlympicGames,countriesmustearnalimitednumberofquotaslotstocompete.

Munich,Germanywasthehostcityofthe2010ISSFWorldShootingChampionships,ac-commodatingarecord-setting2,500athletesfrom104com-petingnations.TheMunichshootingrangeisnostrangertolargeevents—itwasthesiteofthe1972OlympicGames.Inthe38yearssincethoseGameswereofficiallyclosed,theMunichrangewitnessedsixOlympicrecordsandthirty-fourWorldrecordssetonitsgrounds.Inpreparationforthelargestshootingeventhostedheresincethe‘72Games,theMunichrangeunderwentsomecosmeticandstructuralupgrading.Freshpaint,newspectatorseat-ing,grass,andamonstergreenwallontheshotgunrangewereafewoftheimprovementsdesignedtoheightentheathleteandspectatorexperience.

ForthefirsttimeinISSFWorldShootingChampionshiphis-tory,spectatorticketsweresoldforallcompetitiondays,toincludecommonareasaswellasVIPareas.AnyspectatorenteringtheMunichshootinggroundswouldhavebeentreatedtosights,sounds,andsmellsmaybemorecloselyrelatedtoanamusementpark:anexplosionofcolorfromtheflutteringcountryflagsattheentrance;vendorssellingtheirmerchandisefromrowsoftents;thereds,yel-lows,blues,greens,andorangesofathleteuniformsastheyhustletoandfromtheranges,thearmories,andthebusstop;linesfortherestrooms;linesforthebeertent;linesfortherestaurant;smilesandlaughter;tearsandfrowns;thelowbackgroundhumofvoicesinthe

grandstand;theloudblastsofshotgunsandthesoftpopsofairguns;cheersandclapping;thebabbleofforeignlanguagesminglingintowhitenoise;thesmellofGermanbeerfoamingovertwoliterglassmugs;thetantalizingaromaofschnitzel,sausage,andpretzels.TheWorldShootingChampionshipshasacolorfulhistory.Althoughinitiallyorganizedannually,theWSCisnowheldeveryfouryearstooccurtwoyearsaftertheOlympicGames.TheWSCeveryfouryearstooccurtwoyearsaftertheOlympicGames.TheWSCcurrentlyhostsfifty-fiveeventsinthefourdisciplinesofshotgun,rifle,pistol,

andrunningtarget.Anaddi-tionalforty-sixeventshavebeendiscontinuedsincetheWSCbeganin1897.

Thefirsteventconductedatthe1897WorldShootingCham-pionshipsinLyon,France,was300mFreeRifle.Thiseventisstillconsideredthepremiereventofthecompetition.Inaworldwheretargetchangesarecommon—es-peciallyattheWSC—300mFreeRifleand50mFreePistolaretheonlytwotargetsthathavenotbeenchanged,exceptfortheadditionofan“X”ring.Onthecontrary,the25mRapidFirePistoleventinitiallyusedahuman-shapedtargetwithoutscoringrings.In1948,scoringringswereadded,butitwasn’tuntil1990thatthehumansilhouettebecameacircu-larshape.The300mArmyRifleeventwasaddedin1911inRome

andrequiredcompetitorstousethehostnation’s“servicerifle”asthecompetitionfirearm.In1970,serviceriflewasremovedasanevent.Post-WWIIrestrictionsagainstownershipoffirearmspreventedmanyshootingfederationsfromre-establishingtraditionalshootingprograms.Theresultwasanemergenceofairrifleandairpistols.Airgundevelopmentashighprecisiontargetarmsiscreditedwithhavingasignificantroleinthegrowthoftheshootingsportsinmanycountries.SincethefirstWSCinFrancein1897,otherhostcountrieshaveincluded Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Argentina, Sweden, Po-land, Norway, Russia, Venezuela, Korea, Canada, Australia, Croatia and the United States. Italy has the distinction of hosting the World Shooting Championships fifteen times since 1898, more than any other country. France comes in a distant second as hosting the WSC seven times. Russia can claim the most gold medals from the World Shooting Championships since 1897, but the United States has actu-

Staff Sergeant Josh Richmond celebrates not only his gold medal and world championship title in Men’s Double Trap, but also an equal world record of

197/200 targets.


ally taken home the most overall total number of medals, regardless of color.

Many shooting events that are contested in the WSC are reflective of the chameleon nature of shooting sports. As technology develops and alters, shooting events are added and subtracted from a given competition’s roster. For example, pistol events made a debut in 1900 in at the WSC where the first pistol event was 50m Free Pistol. Shotgun, specifically, Men’s Trap, didn’t make an appearance until 1929. Men’s Skeet was added in 1958 in Moscow, the same venue that introduced Double Trap thirty-two years later in 1990. Women’s were first allowed to compete in the WSC in 1958 against male competitors in “open” events. After 1982, though, “open” events were renamed “men’s” events, effectively separating the genders within their respective disciplines. Separate junior (under age 21) events were not added until 1994, with the ISSF recognizing fifteen junior men and women categories. This is the highest world level that junior shooting athletes can currently aspire to reach because the Olympic Games do not have junior categories.

As an athlete competing in the 50th World Shooting Champion-ships, the experience was both memorable and visceral. Aside from the pressure and extravaganza of the Olympic Games, no other world level competition comes close to eliciting the pride and team spirit of being a part of one of the largest teams the United States sent over-seas. Congratulations to all of our World Champions and medalists and a special THANK YOU to all of the staff members who volun-teered their time and expertise to make this year’s World Champion-ship journey effortless (or at least appear so!).

Stay Army Strong! ■ SFC Theresa DeWitt

USA Shooting is a participant of the annual

Combined Federal Campaign. Please note

charity #11094 on your gift designation to direct your contribution to USAS. We very much appreciate your

support!

The Women’s World Championship Trap and Junior Trap Team, from L to R: Corey Cogdell, Miranda Wilder, Ashley Carroll, Rachael Heiden, Susan Sledge,

and Terri DeWitt.

Corporal Jeffery Holguin tips his hat to the crowd after successfully reaching the finals via an eight athlete shoot-off for two spots.

Columns (On the Firing Line)

Faith Fifty-firstinaseries

“Faith is taking the first step, Even when you don’t see the rest of the staircase.”MartinLutherKing,Jr.

Thepreviousthreearticlesinthisserieshaveexploredanumberofinterrelatedtopicsculminatinginadiscus-sionofsteadinessoftherifleorpistolatornearthemomentofshotrelease.Shotgunshooters,archers,andothersmaybeforgivenforskippingthearticlesthough

wouldbeadvisedtogobackandstudyallthreesincetherearemanyinsightsthatrelatetoalldisciplines.Intheend,acceptanceoftheseoranyotherconceptsdependsuponopenmindednessandfaith.

Logic And ScienceToooften,weuselogic,science,andmathtotelluswhatisor

isnotpossible.Weworshipatthealtarofscienceandmathtothedetrimentofothervaluableconcepts.Asaresult,weoften“lockin”ourbeliefsandlimitourpossibilitiesinscientificresearch,sport,andlife.Tobesure,scienceandmatharevaluablebeyondmeasure;itisexclusiverelianceonthemregardingtheexclusionofotherfactorsandapproachesthatistheproblem.

Howoftendowesay“Thatisn’ttrue!”ormakesimilarstatements?Didthatoccurwhenreadingthepreviousthreearticlesoratarecenttrainingsessionwithacoach?Theentiresportingworldandscientificcommunitybelievedthatitwasimpossibleforahumanbeingtorunamileinfourminutesorless.Scientificpaperswerepublishedprovingthefact.RogerBannisterandhis“impossible”fourminutemiledisprovedtheirtheories(seepreviousseriesforfurtherexplana-tion).Theegodictatesthat

whatwebelieveistruebecausewebelieveitistrue.Yes,thatiscir-cularandcommonlogic.Inturn,weuseourbeliefstoproveapointandignoreotherrelevantinformation.Yet,howoftendoyoulaterdiscoverthatsomethingelseiscorrect?

Open Minds Open DoorsYearsago,whileparticipatinginapistolmasterscampatthe

OlympicTrainingComplex,therewereahandfulofincidentsthatoccurredwhichadequatelydemonstratetheresultsofopenminded-nessorthelackthereof.First,anintermediatelevelathletewasbeingcloselywatchedbytheheadcoachandtheyengagedinashortdialogueaboutaparticularaspectoftheathlete’sprocess.Theathletewashavingdifficultywithaparticularaspectoftheshotprocess.Theconversationendedwhentheathlete,inresponsetoasuggestion,said“Oh,no,thisishowIdoit.”Theathletehadnofaiththathecouldlearnsomethingnewtoim-provehisshooting,insteadbelievingthatanychangewould“break”hisgame.Closedmindsclosedoors.

Anotherathlete,strugglingwithkeepinghiseyeonthefrontsightofthepistolinsteadoferroneouslylookingatthetarget,heardasuggestiontouseasmallwhitedotorothermarkonthesightasanaid,andaskedacoachaboutthetechnique.“No,

thatisawasteoftime.Goaheadandtryitfortenshots—itwillgetblurryandend upuseless,”repliedthecoach.Thecoachwascorrect…right?

Let’sexaminethedynamicsofthesituation.Whatistheissue?Theaathleteislookingatthetargetinsteadofthefrontsight.Canthathabit,oranyhabit,bebrokeninstantly?Generallynot.Whathappenswhenone

looksfromthefrontsighttothetarget?Theblurrytargetbecomesclearwhilethesharplyfocusedfrontsightbecomesblurry.Thatmeansawhitedotonthe

sightwill,bydefinition,alsobecomeblurry.Theuseofthedotisnotafailure.Instead,itis

atrainingaidtotheathletetoshowthatheisnowlookingatthewrongplace.Withthedotaidingtoincreaseawareness,theathletewasabletocor-recttheissueandbuildanewhabit.Eventually,thewhitedotstoppedgettingblurry…andthepropervisualtechniquewasnowhabit.Becausetheathletehadanopenmind,anddespitethe

“conventionalwisdom”hewasgiven,hewasopentoimprovement.

Belief Without ProofBecausewearetaughttorelysoheavilyonlogic,

science,andmath,wehavedifficultybelievinganythingwecannotseeorprovetoourselves.Allthreealsodeepaffecthowweapproacheverydaylifeinschool,work,andinsport.Howmanytimeshaveweheardaparent,coach,co-worker,friend,orbosstellussomethingisn’tpossible–whenwebelieveotherwise?Howmany

www.usashooting.org 9www.usashooting.org 9

wasnotthemosttalentedamongherpeers.Quitethecontrary,shefellsomuchthatherbodywascoveredwithbruises.Sheneverquit.Shealwaysgotup,continuedtraining,andaddingbruises.Eventually,shefelllessandsoaredmore.HerstoryandthatofairrifleOlympicchampionNancyJohnson,arebuttwoexamples.Neitherknewtheendoutcome–bothathletesbelievedandwerewillingtotakethefirststep.Inthesummerof2003,JamieBeyerleandIheldasixday“HighPer-formanceShootersCamp”inJacksonville,Florida.Twentyathletesweretreatedtointensedrills,competitions,anddiscussions.JamiehadjustwonherfirstWorldCupgoldmedalandimpartedherfiercecompetitivenesstotheathletesTheyrealizedthatthereismoretoshootingwellthanmeretechnique.Ittakesheartandguts,or“teeth”asonecoachdescribesit.Likeallgoodathletes,Jamiehasfacedad-versityandtimesofgreatdifficulty.Yetshehasalways“takenthefirststep”evenwhennotassuredofsuccess–and“attempted”anyway.

Thesloganatourcampwas“Whatwouldyouattempttoac-complishifyouknewyoucouldnotfail?”Whathaveyoufailedtoattemptbecauseyoufearedthatyoumightfail?Takethefirststep!

■JP O’Connor

Based in the Atlanta, Ga., area, JP O’Connor ([email protected] and http://www.america.net/~jpoc/) is involved in shooting as a competitor, is a former Assis-tant National Coach – USA Paralympics Shooting Team, serves on the National Coach Development Staff in both rifle & pistol, coaches the rifle and pistol teams at North Georgia College & State University, and coaches a junior club. He enjoys working with a number of pistol and rifle athletes from around the country, ranging from beginners to the highly advanced, in clinics and one-on-one private coaching. Previous installments of this series may be found at www.pilkguns.com.

thingshavewefailedtoaccomplishbecausewedidnotmaketheat-temptbecausethetaskwasbelievedtobeimpossible?

Forexample,Eddiebelievesinthepossibilitiesoftheseeminglyimpossible.Healsoknowswhichofhisemployeeshaveasimilarmindsetandopennesstopossibilities.Heaskedoneofhisemployeeswhatheknewaboutadifficultandtrickytopic.“Nothing,”saidtheemployee.Eddiecontinued:“Good!Wouldyouexplorethetopicandletmeknowfeasibilityofcreatingaproduct?”Intwoweekstheemployeehaddonehisresearchandreportedthathethoughtitmightbepossible.Sixmonthslatertheyhadthesoftwareproductinproduction.BothEddieandtheemployeebelievedtheycouldcreatetheproduct,eventhoughtheyhadnoproofthatitcouldbedone.Andsoitisinsport.NotoneOlympicchampioneverhadproofinhandthattheywouldeventuallyholdthegold.Howmanyothers,lackingprooforevenbeliefinthepossibilities,gaveupthechaseorneverevenstarted?

The First StepThekeytosuccessistotakethefirststep.Notjustonce,but

numeroustimesthroughoutyourjourney.Havethegutsandfaithtotakestepsinthedirectionyouwishtotravel.Areyouassuredofsuc-cess?Ofcoursenot!Areyouassuredofaninterestingandfulfillingjourney?Mostlikely—afterall,thejourneyiswhatyoumakeofit.

Thejourneywillbedifficult,yetthehardestpartofthehardworkissuccess.ShannonMillerenjoyedphenomenalsuccessasagymnast.Sincemostsuccessfulgymnastsareyoung,itiseasytoassumethatrawtalentisanimportantingredientinmedals.Wrong—justasallothersports,theultimateprizegoestothehardestworker.Shannon

“The key to success is to take the first step. Not just once, but numerous times throughout your journey. Have the guts and faith to take steps in the direction you wish to travel. Are you assured of success? Of course not!”

Columns (Coaches’ Corner)

Where do World Champions come from?

TeamUSAdidquitewellattheWorldChampionshipsinMunichGermanyJuly29-August10.InRifle,wesawourJuniorandOpenteamswinWorldChampionshipsandmedalsinProne,3P,andAirRifle.Wheredidthesere-sultscomefrom?

OursportssystemintheUSAdoesnotreceiveanyGovern-mentsupport--mostofouroverseascompetitiondoes.OurteamsareprivatelyfundedthroughourUSASdonorprograms,corporatefundraising,Foundationactivities,USOCsupport,andanincredibleamountofvolunteertimethatsupportsourathletesfromtheirfirstdayontherangeontoaninternationalpodium.Startingout...

All of our athletes have incredible family support. Many of ourshootersstartoutlikeIdid—mydadtookmetotherangeatthelocalclubtotryshooting.Familiesaretheinitialandperhapsbiggestathletesponsor.

Howabouttheclubsandteamsoutthere?MostofourWorldTeam

athleteslearntocompete,justlikeinallsports,duringthecriticalteenyearsofdevelopment.Evenalocalclubmatchrequiresacon-certedeffortofvolunteers,parents,andmentorstohostitproperly.Thatsub-juniorthatyouranamatchformightenduprepresentingtheUSAsomedayininternationalcompetition!

NCAAandClubprograms:DidyouknowthattheNCAAisamajorsponsorofRifleopportunitiesandteamsaroundtheUSA?TheNCAARifleprogramprovideskeytrainingandcompetitiveexperienceforourathletes.WegreatlyappreciatetheschoolsthatsponsorRifleasanNCAAorNRAClubsport.Fewoftheteamshavefulltime,employeecoaches.Manysurvivebytheeffortsofparttimeorvolunteercoachesandboosters.NCAAandNRAClubcollegiateathleteswerethebackboneoftheWorldTeammedalsinMunich.

So…whetheryousimplysentinadonation,orvolunteerataclub,orcoachandmentorouryoungathletes,youallhadapartincreat-ingawinningteamofoutstandingyoungAmericans.Thankyouandpleasekeepdoingwhatyoudo!

■National Rifle Coach, Major Dave Johnson

“Our teams are privately funded through our USAS donor programs, corporate fundraising, Foundation activities, USOC

support, and an incredible amount of volunteer time that supports our athletes from their first day on the range on to an

international podium.”

werealsopartofjuniorteams,highschoolteams,andother youth programs. Clubs are precious-they areoftenthesourceofthebestmentoringandcoachingthatayoungpersonreceives.Kudosandthankstothecountless volunteer coaches and mentors out therethatenableourfuturechampionstostartinthesportanddevelopkeyskillsandhabits.

CampsandCoachPrograms:AllofourathleteshaveattendedNRA,USAShooting,and/orCMPaf-filiatedcampsandprogramsatthestateandnationallevel.FriendsofNRA,StateAssociations,Clubs,HighSchoolJROTCteams,andotherprogramsallprovidekeycoachingandcompetitionopportunitiesforouryoungathletestodevelopin.Thankstoallthevolunteercoachesandmentorsouttherethathaveapassionforthissportanddevelopingthecharacteroftheyoungpeopleinit.

MatchSponsors/Facilities:“Wehavehammersandnails…”(JRCoachDonRidenourcirca1975,LangleyEaglesJuniorRifleClub).Ifourathletesdidn’thaveaplacetolearntoshoot,we’dbeunabletofieldcompetitiveteams.Thankstoallthoseouttherethatmaintain,develop,andoftenstartprogramsandfacilities—oftenagainststrongheadwinds!Andmatchsponsors—youarepreciousalso.Ouryoung

10 USA Shooting News

American medalists of the 2010 Fort Benning World Cup in Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Position with a USAS Official Sponsor--the Eley crew from London, England. (L to R): Dan Olley, Matt

Emmons, Jason Parker, Martyn Buttery, and Andrew Lane

Pistol

Confidence

Confidence—aten-letterwordsuggestingaacriticalconceptinshooting:Believeinyourself.AnaccomplishedpistolshooteroncetoldmethatifIcouldpatentamethodtoteachshootersconfidence,Icouldquitmydayjobandliveoff

theroyalties.Despitethatexaggeration,moreoftenthannot,shooterswhohaveahighlevelofconfidenceareoftentheonesascendingthepodiumforthegold,silver,orbronze.

Howcanyoudevelopthatlevelofconfidence?Unfortu-nately,thereisnosecretortricktogainingconfidence.Rather,itdevelopsasaresultofsoundtrainingmethods,focusedeffortstoproducepositiveoutcomes,andyearsofexperience.Dynastiesarenotbuiltovernight—theybeginwithcarefulplanning,clearlyestablishedgoals,strategiestoaccomplishthosegoals,andhard,hardwork.Whenyoufirstpickedupapistol,didyoushootstraight10s?No—likeallotherathletes,yourskillswilldevelopwithtime,experience,andhardwork.

Youmaybeconfident,butdoyoureallybelieveinyourself?Makeyourmentaldialoguecomealivebyacknowledgingyourtalentsandaccomplishments—likelyachievedthroughhardworkandgoalsetting—thenrepeatthosemotivationalwordstoyourselfincessantly.BaseballgreatYogiBerrasaid,“Base-ballis90%mentalandtheotherhalfisphysical.”Though

Yogineededalittleworkonhismath,hissuggestionthatathleticpursuitsinvolvementalcontrolcaneasilybeappliedtoshooting.Techniquessuchasvisualizationandpositiveself-reinforcementarehelpfulwaystogainconfidence.Forexample,whenpracticingyourliftandholdinfrontofthemirror,visualizetheshotandtheten.Tellyourselfthatyoucanshoottens—outloud.

Firstandforemost,believeinthepowerofyourmind.Yourmentalstrengthandtoughness—andnotsimplyyourageorexperience—aretheykeystoaccomplishinggreatfeats.Thatmentalability,alongwithdedicationandfocusonyourgoals,willleadyoutoachieveamazingresults.Believethatyouareagreatshooter,traintobeagreatshooter,andyouwilleventuallybecomeagreatshooter.Whenyoushootabadshot,moveforwardbecauseyouknowthatisnotthenormforyourabilities.Negativethoughtsproducenegativeenergies;ifyouentertainthoughtsof“whatifIlose,”or“Ican’tshoota10,”thenyouarefarlesslikelytosucceed.

“Practicemakesperfect”istheoldadage,butamoreap-propriatesayingis“Practicemakespermanent.”Shootersandcoachesshouldrealizethatwemusttrainthefundamentalscorrectlytoproduceperfectshotsconsistently.Ofcourse,themethodthatworksforoneshootermaynotworkforthenext.Analysisofvariousmethodsisnecessarytodeterminewhichmethodsworkforparticularshooters.

Forexample,Ioftenthinkofaneighborwhofarmedwithhissonformanyyears.Hewasinjuredwhileservinghiscountryandalwayswalkedwithalimp.Hissonwasborn

longafterhehadsustainedhisinjury.Interestinglyenough,thesonwalkedwiththesamegaitashisfather.Asayoungchild,helookeduptohisdadasarolemodelandfollowedhisexample.Watchothergreatshootersandimitatesomeoftheirtechniquesormethods.Somemayworkforyou,increaseyourconfidence,andimproveyourresults.Ofcourse,youshouldadoptandperfectthetechniquesthatsuityoubest.Youcertainlydon’twantto“limp”alonginyourshooting,butyoucanmakegreatstridesbyadoptingthesoundfundamentalsandtechniquesthatbuildskillandconfidence.

Whilepropertrainingisakeyelementinashooter’sconfidence,experienceisalsoanecessaryelement.DoesthismeanthatourmostseasonedpistolshootersfeelnopressureinthefinalofaWorldCup?Notatall.Theirexperiencegavethemopportunitiestochanneltheiremotionsinapositiveway.Thoughitmaybetypicaltoentertainnegativethoughtsinastressfulcompetitiveenvironment,prepareyourselftofosterapositiveoutlookwitheachmatchsothatyoubecomemoreandmorecomfortableandconfidentinthoseexcit-ingsituations.Wheneverpossible,participateinanyandallthematchesyoucan.Thoseexperiencesareopportunitiestodevelopyourmindsetandconfidenceinmatchsettings.You’llgaininsightsandknowledgeaboutthepeculiaritiesofamatch

thatincreaseordecreaseyourtension,andotherintricaciesofyourshootingthatcanhelpyoubelieveinyourself.

SeveralofourtopjuniorpistolshootersrecentlyreturnedfromtheWorldShootingChampionshipsinMunich,Ger-many.Iwashonoredtoserveasanassistantcoach.Itwasarareopportunitytostandalongsidesomeofthebestshootersintheworld.Forseveralofouryoungatheltes,itwastheirfirstcompetitiveexperienceatthislevel,theirfirstventureinanoverseasmatch.Theexperiencetheseyoungpeoplegainedwasabsolutelyinvaluabletotheirshootingcareers.Theywereabletowatchsomeoutstandingshootersinaction,aswellaslearnwhatittakestoshootintopform.Theyreturnedhomechallengedandreadytomoveforward,eagertodeveloptheconfidencethatwillhelpthembetheonestowatchinfuturechampionships.

Partofwhatmakespistolshootingsomuchfunistheever-presentchallenge.It’sagreatfeelingwhenathletessuccess-fullycompleteamatch,knowingtheydidallthatispossibletoproduceaperfectperformanceinthefaceoftoughcompeti-tionanddifficultcircumstances.Experiencesliketheseleadtoconfidentlysteppinguptothelineatthenextmatchforthenextbigchallenge.So,regardlessofthefacesinthecrowdortheothercompetitorsonthefiringline,youcanandwillbeabletofindthetenringifyoufocusontheshotsandnottheothershooters.Withtheconfidenceyou’vedeveloped,you’resuretohavefun,shootwell,andcompetehard!

■Eric Pueppke

“You may be confident, but do you really believe in yourself?”


RifleExamining Success

Thenine-hourflighthomefromMunichprovidedtimeforreflec-tionafteraverysuccessfuloutingforthejuniorrifleteamatthe50thWorldShootingChampionships.

Howdidthegroupofeightyoungmenandsixyoungwomenearnthreeindividualmedals(onegoldandtwosilvers)andtwoteammedals(onegoldwithaworldrecordandonebronze)?Whatdidwedotomakethatsuccesspossible?Whatwillittakeinthefuturetorepeatit?Howdoweimproveinthoseeventswherewedidnotquitemakethepodiumineitherteamorindividualevent?

Overthepasthalfdozenyearsorso,theNationalJuniorTeam(formerNationalDevelopmentTeam),hasbenefittedgreatlyfromtheopportunitytoattendsomesmallerinternationaleventslikeIWK(MunichAirGun)andcompetitionsinbothPilsenandtheCzechRepublic(ShootingHopes).Theexperi-encegarneredinthesecompetitionsandotherlargestageshelpsdevelopsomeoftheskillsthatthejuniorsdisplayedinMunich.Forexample,athleteslearnhowtorecognizetheirlimits,dealwiththeunknownintheformofnewrangesandprocedures,interactwithofficialswhodonotspeakEnglishasafirstlanguage,andmore.Withoutadoubt,mycoachingskillsimprovedwhilstspendingtimewiththejuniorteampriorinvariousoverseasmatchesandpre-competitioncamps.Yet,mostofthejuniorswhoshotinMunichwerenewfaces—somehadnevereventraveledoutoftheUnitedStatesbefore.So,howwasitpossiblethateveryonedefiedtheconventionalwisdomthatsaysinashooter’sfirstinternationalcompetitionheorshewillnotdowellbecauseofthepressuresofanewsituation?

First,athoroughtrainingplanfortheentirecompetitionyearisalsoacriticalfactortoreachpeakperformance.Thisplanshouldalsoaccommodatecontrolledanduncontrolledvariablessuchastravelandteamselection.Unfortunately,wedidnotknowwhowouldmakethejuniorteamuntilonlyonemonthbeforeweleftforthetrainingcamp.Ifanathletewasnotpreparedbeforehand,itisextremelydifficulttomakeanymeaningfulchangestoashooter’strainingpriortoamajorchampionship.Wemustrelyonthetrainingandconditioningthattheyaccomplisheitherontheirownorwiththeirlocalcoachattheircluborschool.

Therealityiswe(ascoaches)arenotdealingwithama-chinethatisprogrammedtoconsistentlyreproducetheper-fectshot.Humanperformanceinvolveserrorsandmistakes,bothofwhicharepartofthatprocessregardlessoftheathlete’sabilities.Themistakesbecomefewerandtheerrorsbecomesmallerastheathletedevelopsskill,butthoseerrorsarestillpartoftheprocess.Learninghowtohandleerrorsmakesorbreaksacompetitiveshooter.Doestheerrorbecomeadis-

traction,thusdisplacingmentalenergytofocusonthescoresorworryaboutwhatthecrowdmightbethinkingratherthanfocusingandfiringthenextshotcorrectly?Whileanathlete’smindisapowerfultool,successfulshootingisnotamatterofbeingmentallytoughenoughtohandleeverythingthatcouldpossiblyhappeninamatch.Therewillcomeadaywhenanewmistake,error,orsituationarises—thenwhat?

Rifleshootingisahighlytechnicalsportandinvolveshardworkandatremendousamountofpreparationtosucceed.Alltheequipment,adjustments,andpositionsrequirethediligenceofascientistmakinganexperimentalrecordtomaintainconsistency.Thoughtheriflesthemselvesarehighlyaccurate(especiallyairrifles),targetshaveevolvedovertheyearstodiscernwhoisthebettershooterthroughaprogres-sivereductioninthesizeofthescoringareas,thusrequiringevenmoreattentiontoaccuracy.So,didthetalentjuniorrifleshootershavebetterriflesandmoreaccurateammunitionthanotherteamsinMunich?Perhaps,butmostshootersintheworldhaveaccesstotheverysamekindsofriflesandam-munition.

DuringthetrainingcamporganizedinPforzheim,Germa-ny,theweekbeforetheWorldChampionships,wemadeonlyafewpositionchanges.Yettheoneaspectofshootingthatthecoachesstressedtothejuniorteamwasfundamentals.Forex-ample,wedidnotworkonhowtoaim,butmoreonhowtodoitefficientlyandeffectivelywhileachievingcorrect,consistentheadpositioning.Weworkedtostopover-aimingorover-holding,pullingthetriggerincorrectlyorinconsistently,andpoorfollow-throughhabits.Wealsoworkedhardonachievingconsistentnaturalpointofaim.Allofthesethingsarebasicskillsinourdiscipline.Granted,weweremakingsmall,ifnottiny,adjustmentsandimprovements,butwewerestillworkingonthebasics.

Junior Women’s 50m Rifle Prone (L) Sarah Beard and (R) Sharon Barazani, celebrate their silver and gold wins at the World Shooting Championships.


Rifle

Manyoftheproblemsexhibitedbyourbestjuniorshootersmightleadanoutsidertothinkthatwearenottrainingthemcorrectlyoref-ficiently.Therealityisthatourshooterscomethroughavarietyofshootingbackgrounds.Theybeginshootinginalocalclubsponsoredbyasportsman’sorganization,JROTC,4-H,oranotheryouthorganization.Regardlessofthepath,themostessentialfactorthatdeterminestheirsuccessbeyondtheirpersonalmotivationisthecoachingtheyreceivedandthefundamen-talstheyhonedduringthefirstyearortwooftheircareer.Insomecases,shootersonlylearnthemostrudimentaryskillsandthenheorshemustfigureouttherest.Somemanagequitewell,butthereisalwaysroomforimprovement.Moreover,whathappenstothosewhodonotsolvethepuzzleontheirown?Mostlikely,theyquitshootingtodosomethingelse.Whoisatfault?Shootersoftenlearnbytrailanderrorwithoutacoachwhohasathoroughknowledgeofhowtoteachthefundamentals.

Forexample,inthebeginningitisnotneces-sarytodelveintothenuancesoftriggeradjust-

The Junior Men’s 50m Rifle Prone, all relatively inexperienced shooters on the international scene, dug deep for a gold team win. From L to R:

Ryan Dunham-Bender, Jimmie Cooper, and Michael Seery.

The lone American, Sarah Scherer, stood proudly on the Junior Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Position event with her bronze medal. Scherer wrapped up a stellar year after a few

National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships and NCAA gold medals.

mentbutratherhowtopullthetriggersmoothlywithoutdisturbingtheaim.Itisnotnecessaryfortheshootertoknowaboutlocktimetounder-standtheneedtofollowthroughanddeveloptheskillofcallingtheshot.Itisnotnecessarytoknowaboutexternalballisticstolearnaboutaimingerrorsandtheireffect.Allthosetopicsandmorearecertainlyim-portantfortheathletetodevelopintoacompleteshooter,butatthebeginning,theyonlyservetomuddythewaters.Inaddition,thesearticleswillserveasatooltohelpcoachesunderstandhowtocementthefundamentalsintheirathletesandwhytheyaresoimportantforbeginningshoot-ers.OverthenextfewissuesofUSAShootingNews,Iplantodiscussthefundamentalaspectsofexecutingashot,socoachesandself-taughtshooterscanvalidatewhattheyalreadyknowandexpandtheirthinkingtoincludemethodsthattheyhadnotconsideredbefore.Theintentistohelpyousolvethepuzzlethatisrifleshooting.

■Marcus Raab

shotgun

The Natural

You’reanatural....”You’veheardthisphrasetimeandagainbyadmiringpeers,coaches,andonlookers.Dictionary.comdefinesa

“natural”as“anypersonorthingthatisorislikelyorcertaintobeverysuitabletoandsuccessfulinanendeavorwithoutmuchtrainingordifficulty.”Yet,thatdefinitionis33rdinalistof38options.So,amInaturallygifted?DoIhavespecialabilitiesthathavehelpedmesucceedasaskeetshooter?Absolutelynot—thefirsttimeIpickedupagun,Iwasnotshootingstraightrounds.Eventodaythatisstillagoalandnotablefeatwhenitoccurs.Mypathtotheelitelevelwasandstillisanunnaturalprocessthatincludeshardwork,determination,anddiscipline.

Thiswidelydebatedtopicofnaturaltalentversusskillsdevelopedthroughold-fashionedhardworkappliestoall

fieldsofendeavor,whethersport,busi-ness,orlife.Infact,thisdebatehasat-tractedtheattentionofscientistsstudy-ingthequestionofnaturalabilities.In2006,ateamofBritishresearcherscon-cluded,“Theevidencewehavesurveyed...doesnotsupport[that]excellingisaconsequenceofpossessinginnategifts.”Theteamsurmisedthat,traditionally,peoplelearnquicklyinthebeginningbutthenreachapeakandeventuallyceaselearningeventhoughtheystillperformagivenact.Thereare,however,verysuccessfulindividualswhohaveattainedthatsuccessbycontinuingtolearn.Thosepeople,theoneswhoprog-ressbeyondtheearlypeak,willcontinuetogrowandbecomethe“greats”manyadmire.Yet,thequestionremains—howdothesetalentedindividualscontinuetoprogressandsucceed?

Avoidreachingyourpeakbybecom-ingastudentofyourendeavor.Spendtimediscoveringtheintricaciesofyourshooting,yourshotgun(s),chokes,gunfit,andmore.Learnhowthebunkersorthrowingmachinesworkandthephy-

sicsinvolvedintargetflight.Andbesidestudyingthegame,spendconsider-abletimelearningaboutyourself.Doyouknowwhichsupportingmusclesareusedtomountyourgun?Also,IpracticeinextremesofweatherandotherconditionssoIcanimprovemyshootingbydiscoveringhowIreactorneedtoadaptinavarietyofsituations.Rain,freezingsleet,wind,andcertainlyhundred-degreetemperaturestaughtmevaluableskillsanddevelopedthementaltoughnessthatsimplydoesnotcome“naturally.”Thebottomlineisthatthereisnosubstituteforhardwork,forthehoursspentontherange,inthegym,withamentalcoach,andfollowinganutrition-ist’sprescribedregimen.Thereiszeroevidenceofeliteperformancewithoutthepracticeorexperiencetosupportsuchsuccess.Youwillnotstepuptothelineandbreakeverytargetyoushoot.

Youwill,however,continuetosucceedandimproveyouraveragewithpractice.Manyofthetopshootersinthefieldaresomeofthemostdiligentworkers.Yet,morethanjusthardworkthatledthemontheirpathtogreatness.Deliber-atepracticeisaconceptthatincludescontinuallysettinggoalsandobservingandmeasuringtheresults—itissmarterpractice.Sure,youcouldheadouttotherangetodayandshootonehundredrounds,butyoucouldalsoplanyourtrainingwithpurposefuldrillsandexercisesthatworktowardanobjectiveorfocusonaspecificelementofyourgame.Inallsports,qualitytrainingandfocusoneachrepetitionorskillpro-videsthechallengeandrealizationsthatincreaselearning.Doyounoticethedif-ference?Ratherthansimplypullingthetrigger,youhaveaspecificgoalforeverysingleshot.Coupledwithconsistencyinhoursofpractice,deliberatepracticewillhelpyouachievegreaterresults.

Deliberatepracticealsoincludesmentalfocusandcommitmenttothetaskathand.Eliteshootersusepractice

tocontinuallyimprovetheirgameandoptimumlevelofperformance.Ferocityandintensityaretwocommoncharacte-risticsIseeintop-levelathletesduringtheirtraining.Alwaysbeconsciousofyourmindsetthroughoutyourentirepractice.Get“inthezone”witheachandeverypractice—themoreyoudo,theeasieritwillbetofindyourrhythmincompetition.

Anotherimportantaspectofdeliber-atepracticeisqualityfeedback.Manypeopledislikefeedbackforfearofnega-tivecriticism,yetwithoutittheyareoftenunabletoimprove.Takefeedbackwillingly.Forexample,whatshouldyoudoifyourcoachtellsyouthatyourfeetarenotproperlyalignedandsuggestsanalternativetobalanceyourbodyweight?Continueyourlearningcurveanddis-coverwhybalancedbodyweightleadstobettershots.Don’tshunthecriti-cism;yourcoachwantsyoutoimprove.

Inaddition,ifyouarenotreceivingfeedback,then“carpediem”—seizetheday—andask!Themoreyouknow,themorelikelyyouaretoimprove.

Hardworkisjustthat—hard.Theextrastepsarenecessarytodistinguishtheelitefromthesimplytalentedor“natural.”Adesiretowinrequiresthetimeandeffortontherangeintheformofdeliberatepractice,timeinthegymtoimprovestrengthandconditioning,on-goingdiscussionswithasportpsycholo-gist(orcoachorothercredibleshootersifasportpsychologistisnotavailable),andmostimportant,awilltowin.Theshootersonthelinenexttoyouarenotnaturallytalented.Likeyou,theyhaveshothoursonendtobecomethetopfinishersatalocalmatch,theNationals,oreventheWorldChampionships.Butthegoodnewsisthatgreatnessisavail-abletoeveryone,ifyouarewillingtowork.If,attheendofyourcareer,youareknownforsomething,letitbeyourcommitmenttothesportandunprec-edentedworkethic,andnotforbeinga“natural.”■Anonymous


“There is zero evidence of elite performance without the practice or experience to support such success.”

Kim RhodeWomen’s Skeet World Champion

50th World Shooting Championships

MirandaWilderzippeduphervest,pouredaboxofWinchesterAAshellsinherpocket,andbeganthelongwalktoFieldC,whereherWorldChampionshipdestinyawaited.TheyoungshooterwatchedasteammateRachaelHeidenbeatChina’sZhuJingyuinasuddendeathshoot-offthatlastedjustone

target,propellingHeidentoanindividualbronzemedal,aswellastheJuniorWomen’sTrapteamgoldmedal.“Iwassonervous,Iwasshaking,butIknewIcould

doit.Mymaingoalwastokeepmyheadonthegunandseethetargets,”saidWilderashertimehadcome.Steppinguptotheline,shebattledwithAustralia’sCatherineSkinnertied

at69targets.Targetaftertarget,thetworemainedneckandneck.Wilder,undisturbed,nailedhertenthtargetinarowandagain,waitedforadoortoopen.Anastyclimbinglefttargetfrompost

fivesealedSkinner’sfate.Therewasnofistpumporwhoopofjoyfromthis16-year-old;rathershecalmlyhuggedNationalCoachBretEricksonandgraciouslyacceptedcongratulationsfromteammatesandfans.“The

mainthingIrememberwashearingthenationalanthemplayedwhileIwasonthepodium...itkindofblocksouteverythingelse,”saidWilder.Herwinmarkedthefirstmedal—andgoldmedal—wonbytheUnitedStatesatthisyear’s

WorldShootingChampionshipsinMunich,Germany,andcouldnothavebeenearnedbyamoredeservingathlete.


ThedayfollowingWilder’sgold,thered,white,andbluefoundthepodiumagain—inthree’s—asMen’s50mProneTeamandJuniorMen’s50mProneTeamshotforthegoldandbronzerespectively.TheteamofMattEmmons,[rank]MichaelMcPhail,and[rank]EricUp-tagrafftprovedwhyallthreeareconsistentlytop-rankedshootersastheydefendedtheirWorldChampionshiptitle.Fouryearsprior,thethreesharp-shootingathleteswonthesameeventinZagreb,Croatiaatthe49thWorldShootingChampionships.Thejuniorshooters,Mi-chaelSeery,JimmieCooper,andRyanDunham-Bender,begantheirmatchinthehole.Andjustwhenacomebackseemedoutofreach,theseathletesmanagedtheimprobablebymissingjustonepointintheirlastcombinedsixtyshots.AnothernotableperformancecamefromMeghannMorrill,whoshockedthecrowdwitha398qualifyingscoreinWomen’s10mAirRifle.InherfirstInternationalShootingSportsFederation(ISSF)finalever,Morrillenteredinafour-waytieforsecondplace,yetfelltoeighthplaceaftera100.1pointfinal.Despiteherfinish,Morrillgainedinvaluableexperienceforfuturesuccesses.Herperformance,coupledwiththatofJamieBeyerleandEmilyCaruso,markedthefirstWomen’s10mAirRifleTeammedal(bronze)fortheUSAinafewdecades.

MattEmmonswasanotherAmericanwhosenamecirculatedaroundtherangeasheencounteredbothtriumphandtragedyinhisthreeevents.Emmons’597inthequalificationmatchand101.5inthefinalearnedhimseventhplaceinMen’s10mAirRifle,butheexcelledinMen’s50mRifleProne.Winningthefirst2012OlympicquotaplaceforanyAmericansport,Emmonsbroughthomethebronzemedal.“It’sgreattobetheonewhograbbedthefirstOlympicQuotaforAmerica,”saidEmmons,afterthematch.“Ofcourse,Iamnotautomaticallyqualified.ThequotagoestotheUSAShootingTeam,andalltheAmericanshootersarepassingthroughaqualifica-tionsysteminordertodecidewhowillgotothenextGames.”Enter-inginthebottomhalfofthefinal,Emmonsshotastrong104.2pointsfor702.2totalpointsandabronzemedal.SergeantFirstClassEricUptagrafftalsoshotinthefinal,yetfinishedseventhaftertwodisappointing9s.

Dayfourbroughtintensecompetitionontheshotgunscene.TheAmericanshadnarrowlymissedmedalopportunitiesinWomen’sTrapandwerereadyforheatedcontests.JakeTurner,alsosurprisingthecrowdwithhisimpressivequalificationperformance,shotinhisfirst-everISSFfinalforMen’sTrap.Turnerwastiedwithsixothershootersforonlytwospotsinthefinalwith121/125targets.Asthefirstthreeathletesmissedtheirshoot-offtargets,Turnerpulledthetriggerandadvancedtothesecondpositionwithacleanbreak.Inashoot-outunliketheotherswitnessedattheWorldShootingCham-pionships,twotargetsputTurnerandSpain’sAlbertoFernandezintothefinal.Ultimatelyfinishingsixth,Turnersaid,“Iwaspleasedwithmyperformanceandexcitedtomakethefinal.EspeciallysinceInowhavetheopportunitytorepresenttheUSAandshootwithteammateJohnMullinsintheWorldCupFinalinTurkey.”Theiryoungerteammates,theJuniorMen’sTrapTeamfinishedwithasilvermedal.TheforceofMatthewGossett,CaseyWallace,andMorganHarbisonallperformedexceptionallywell.Gossett,inpar-ticular,edgedouttwoothercompetitorsinasixteentargetshoot-offforfourthplace.

EndinganothernightonthepodiumafterJuniorMen’sTrap,theUnitedStatesbeganthenextdaywithhighhopesfortheMen’sDoubleTrapathletes.AstheUSAishometotheworld’stopDoubleTrapshooters,medalswereexpected.Buttoningdownagainstthecold,wind,andrain,themenwerenotdeterredintheirgoal:gold.StaffSergeantJoshRichmondwastheJuniorMen’sDoubleTrapChampionin2005andnowholdstheMen’sDoubleTraptitlejustfiveshortyearslater.Withanaudiencethatincludedhisparents,celebratingtheir25thweddinganniversarytheirfirsttripover-seas,Richmondwasready...forcleanbreaks,foraquotaspot,forgold.Alsoshootinginthefinalwaswiththeirfirsttripoverseas,Richmondwasready...forcleanbreaks,foraquotaspot,forgold.AlsoshootinginthefinalwasteammateCorporalJefferyHolguin,whoencounteredagunmalfunctionandwasgrantedafiveminuterepairperiod.Withasparetriggerinhisguncaseandafewminoradjustments,Holguinwasbackontheline.Inabizarreturnof

50th World Shooting Championships

Germansbyonepoint.Teammateand2008OlympianJamieBeyerlesetanewnationalrecordof593pointsintheeliminationround.ThefinalkeytothewinwasAmySowash,whofinishedstrongwith585points.Afterhernewnationalrecord,BeyerlemaintainedpacetosecurefifthplaceandthethirdAmericanquota.Beyerlewasontopofhergameasshenaileda10.7tenthshotinthefinaltomoveherupfromeighthplace.

SergeantFirstClassKeithSandersonoftheArmy’sWorldClassAthleteProgram,another2008Olympian,battledaforearmin-jurythroughoutthe2010season,yetpulledthingstogetherfortheWorldShootingChampionships.SandersonandhisMen’s25mRapidFirePistolteammates,Spe-cialistBradBalsleyandEmilMi-lev,grabbedanunexpectedteambronzemedalwithacombinedscoreof1731points.AnothersurprisingsuccessinthepistoldisciplinewasPettyOfficerFirstClassSandraUptagrafftwhoshot384pointsinWomen’s10mAirPistolforanopportunityinthefinal.InherfirstISSFfinalever,Uptagrafftdidherbesttoman-agerthepressureoftheWorldChampionshipsandshotfor93.3points.Thoughhereighthplacefinishwasoutofquotaconten-tion,Uptagrafftfacedsomeheftycompetitionandestablishedamuch-neededpresencefortheUSAinWomen’sAirPistol.

Withjustahandfulofdaysleftincompetition,theAmericanteamhadatotaloftwoindivid-ualmedalsandjustthreequotaplaces.Asboththetimeandnumberofquotaslotsdwindled,thepressurebegantobuild.TheUnitedStateslookedtoKimRhode,HaleyDunn,andAmberEnglishforaWomen’sSkeet

quota.Rhode,aftertwoWorldCupgoldmedalsthisseason,wastheheavyfavoritetowin.Withcoldwindsandrainthroughouttheday,thewomenturnedtoallmeanstostaywarm—evenusingshowercapstokeeptheirfeetandhatsdry.Rhodeshot72/75targetsinqualificationandDunnremainedrightalongsidewith71targetsforashotinthefinals.Dunnhadalittletroubleasshedroppedfivetar-getsforacombinedtotalof91targets.RhoderemainedconsistenttoherWorldCupsuccess,andshotaperfect25targetfinalfortheUSA’sthirdindividualmedalandfourthquota.“It’sgreattofinallywinaWorldTitleinfrontofmyparents,”saidRhodewhocreditsmuchof


events,withonlyahandfuloftargetsleft,Holguinnoticedthattheangleofthetargetshadcreptoutsidetheproscribedlimits.TheISSFrefereeshauledouttarget-settinghoopstodiscoverthattherighttargetwascreepingtowardsthecenter.

Asthedelaysgrewlonger,theweat-hercontinuedtogetcolderasthesundippeddown,leavingtheshooterschilled.YetRich-mondremainedtoughandshotstraightforaperfect50-targetfinal,equalworldrecordof196/200targets,andagoldmedal.Despitethechallengesofthemechani-calfailures,Holguinfinishedfourth.Theirseventeen-year-oldteammate,BillyCrawford,shot50-targetsinhisthirdroundfor143/150totaltargets.Withallthreeshootersinthetopelevenspots,theAmericansbroughthomeateamgoldmedalandworldrecordof433combinedtargets—threetargetsabovethepreviousrecord.“I’mhappytohavewonthegoldmedalandbroughtaquotaspottotheUSA.We[theDoubleTrapTeam]setthestandardfortherestoftheUSTeam.Nowthatwehaveagold,Iamconfidentthatourteamwillcontinueonthispace,”saidRichmond.

ThoughtheymaynothaveheardRichmond’smotivationalwords,theJuniorWomen’s50mRifle3PositionTeamputupaperformancetowritehomeabout.ThetrioofAmandaFurrer,SarahBeard,andSarahSchererdemolishedtheformerworldjuniorrecordbyawhop-pingelevenpoints.Thedomina-tiondoesn’tendthere—thenear-estcompetitionwasfourteenpointsbehindtheAmericanteam!Moreover,Scherershotfor585pointsandtheindividualsilvermedal.Theircombinedeffortof1747pointswasthegoldenstandard.AlsocompetingintheUSAjuniorscenewastheJuniorMen’sDoubleTrapteamofIanRupert,DerekHaldeman,andKelceyDepatis,whokeptupthehard-wareparadewithateambronzemedal.

Takingacuefromthejuniorwomen,theWomen’s50mRifle3PositionteamwasnotgoingtoletGermanytakehomegold.Withacommandingleadandthefavorofthefans,theGermangirlsdidn’tevenregistertheAmericanteamasSandyFongenteredthekneelingserieswithonlythirtyminutesleft.TenaftertenaftertenleftFongwithanastounding198pointsandAmericanteamgold—beatingthe

Number one on the scoreboard, and number one in your hearts. The Junior Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Position Team of (L to R) Sarah Beard, Amanda

Furrer, and Sarah Scherer celebrate their team gold medal.

Smiling National Shotgun Coach Bret Erickson takes a moment to celebrate with the silver medal winning Junior Men’s Trap Team of (L to R) Matthew

Gossett, Jake Wallace, and Morgan Harbison.

hersuccesstoherparents’support.AnothernoteworthyresultofherwinningistheadditionalUSAOlympicTeamselectionpointsRhodehasaccumulated—53pointswitha45pointthresholdmarker.Thoughitdoesn’tmeansheautomaticallyqualifies,ifanotherUSshooterisunabletoreachorexceedherpointsafter2011,thenRhodewillembarkonahistoricjourneytowardsherfifthconsecu-tive(individual)Olympicmedal—afeatfortherecordbooks.WithtalentlikethatintheAmericanWomen’sSkeetprogram,itshould

comeasnosurprisethattheteam(Rhode,Dunn,andEnglish)broughthomethegoldmedal.

EventhoughWomen’sSkeetisingoodhands,thejuniorswantedtoabolishanydoubtswithateamgoldmedalandanindividualsilvermedalbyJaidenGrinnell.ThisfeistytriobroughttheirAmericanspirit—intheformofred,white,andbluecheerleadingpom-poms—tothepodiumalongwithaward-winningsmilesandcharm.Grin-nellbroketwotargetstoYueZhang’s(China)onetargetforthesilvermedalinashoot-off.“WepromisedBret[Erickson]agoldmedalandwearehappytohavefollowedthrough,”saidGrinnelloftheJuniorWomen’sSkeetTeam’sperformance.WiththegutsofCaitlin

Connor,ferocityofJaid- enGrinnell,andtenacityofBrandy Drozd,theteamshotforatotal of197targets,threehigherthan silverteamChina.

Thenext WorldCham-pionship successesalsocameinthe formofteenageathletes:the JuniorWomen’s50mRifleProne event.Thoughanon-Olympiccompeti-tion,red,white,andblueathleteswatchedtwoflagsfly-ingbeyondthepodium.SharonBarazaniandSarahBeardhavenevercompetedinaninternationalmatch,butinexperiencedidn’tstopthemfromdreamsofgoldandsilver.Barazanifiredsixtyshotsfor596pointsandBeardwasonlyonepointbehindat595points.Inteamcompetition,theteam(withtheadditionofAmandaFurrer)techni-callybroketheworldrecord,butcameinfourth.Yetthecombinedscoresonthedayofindividualcompetitionwouldhavedismantledtheworldrecordsetonedayprior,buttheirin-dividualscoresdonotcountforteamcompetition.Otherwomenalsoachievingsuccessinanon-OlympicwaywerethetrioofSandyFong,ReyaKempley,andRhondaBrightinWomen’s300mRifle3Posi-tion.Thesetalentedmarkswomenfinishedwith1723totalpointsfortheteamsilvermedalinoneoftheworld’spremierrifleevents.

Finally,SergeantVincentHan-cock,the2008OlympicgoldmedalistinMen’sSkeet,lookedtodefendhisnameandprovehistalent.HancockscoredonemedalontheWorldCupcircuitthisyearandwasreadytofacethebestofthebest.Withaqualifyingscoreof123/125targets,Hancockwastiedwithfourothershootersinthefinal.Inafieldseparatedbyonlyonetarget,thecompeti-tionwasfierce—missingatargetwouldseverlydamageanyhopesforamedal.Un-fortunately,Hancockdroppedahighhouse

Joshua RichmondMen’s Double Trap World Champion

The USA’s Matt Emmons was the first American athlete to claim a quota spot for any American Olympic sport with his bronze medal

finish in Men’s 50m Rifle Prone.

Jake Turner, an Olympic Training Complex Resident Athlete, shot in his first international final ever at the World Championships.

targetonthesecondpaironstationfour,leavinghimtobattlewithAndersGoldingofDenmarkforfifthandsixthplaceinasudden-deathshoot-off.Eventhoughmedalswerenotontheline,thefifthplacefinishedwouldbringhomeaquotaslottohisfederation.Hancockstayedstraightforeighttar-getsandbreathedasighofreliefasGoldingmissedabird.“Amedalwouldhavebeenicingonthecake,butwereallywantedthequotaspotandVincentstayedstrongtoaccomplishthatgoal,”saidNationalCoachBretErickson.himtobattlewithAndersGoldingofDenmarkforfifthandsixthplaceinasudden-deathshoot-off.Eventhoughmedalswerenotontheline,thefifthplacefinishedwouldbringhomeaquotaslottohisfederation.HancockstayedstraightforeighttargetsandbreathedasighofreliefasGoldingmissedabird.“Amedalwouldhavebeenicingonthecake,butwereallywantedthequotaspotandVincentstayedstrongtoaccomplishthatgoal,”saidNationalCoachBretErickson.

AsolidgoldperformancecameshortlybeforeHancock’squota

winbyjuniorJonMichaelMcGrathwhostoletheshowinMen’sJuniorSkeet.McGrathshotfor123/125targetsforanindividualgoldmedalanddroppedonlyonetargetinhisseconddayofcompeti-tion.Hisperformance,alongwiththatofBJBlanchardandTJBayer,helpedpropelJuniorMen’sSkeettoateamsilvermedal.

BeyondthestellarperformancesbyseveralOpendivisionshoot-ers,thejuniorsstolethestage.Withahaulofsevenjuniorteammedalsandsevenjuniorindividualmedals,itissafetosaythatthefutureforshootingsportsintheUSAisingoodhands...andtriggerfingers.Thoughnotoftenregardedasourfront-lineOlympicmedalcontenders,USAShootingisproudofitstalentedyoungathletes.Facingthetoughestcompetitionintheworld,ouryoungmenandwomenperformedwithdignity,calm,andaccuracy.Withmorethan2,300shooterscompeting,USAShooting’sWorldChampionshipTeam(notincludingjuniorsornon-Olympicevents)managedatotalofthreeindividualmedals,fiveOlympicquotaplaces,sixteammed-als,and12finalsappearances.Farexceedingtheirperformanceatthe2006WorldShootingChampionships,theUSShootingTeamfacedthebestofthebestandstakedtheirclaimtoprominenceontheworldstage.■Katie McGinty


The dangerously skilled Men’s Double Trap trio of (L to R) Jeffery Holguin, Josh Richmond, and Billy Crawford, brought

home a gold medal and new world record.

The effervescent Junior Women’s Skeet team that stole the hearts of the international press with winning smiles and cheerleader pom-poms,

celebrate their team gold medal. (L to R) Jaiden Grinnell, Caitlin Connor, and Brandy Drozd.

Meghann Morrill’s outstanding 398 points qualified for an opportunity to shoot in the finals.

The Junior Women’s Trap team, victorious in Munich with a team gold medal. (L to R): Ashley Carroll, Miranda Wilder, and Rachael Heiden.

Paralympic Championships


Danielle Fong, a 2012 Paralympic hopeful, steadies her rifle and fires her way into the finals.

L to R: Josh Olson (behind), Eric Hollen, Danielle Fong, and Mike Dickeyrepresenting the United States of America at the International Paralympic

Committee World Shooting Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

TheUSAShooting(USAS)boastsmorethanjustasuccessfulOlympicshootingprogram—USASisalsohometoastrongParalympiccontingent.MeetDanielleFong,SergeantFirstClassJoshOlson,EricHollen,andMikeDickey:thefourathletesrepresentingtheUSAatthisyear’sInternationalParalympicCommittee(IPC)WorldShootingChampionshipsinZagreb,Croatia.ThoughtheUSAdidn’tbringhomeanymedalsthisyear,theeventservedasatremendouslearningexperienceforthese2012hopefuls.

Asurprisingtwistoccurredduringtheclosingceremonies,whentheUSA’sHollenwaspresentedtheFairPlayAwardfortheexceptionalsportsmanshiphedemonstratedduringhisFreePistolMatch(P4).Hollenaccidentlyfiredashotjustabovehistargetwhileworkingonearlytriggerpressureduringtheapproach.HeimmediatelynotifiedtheRangeOfficertoreportthemisssincenooneelsesawit.Thisoccurredtwiceashestruggledwithhistriggerthroughoutthematch.Whilethemissescosthimatwentypointdeduction,Hollensaid,“Iknewitwastherightthingtodo.”Hissportsmanshipandintegrityimpressedthematchstaff.BobFoth,NationalParalympicCoach,said,“Ericwasabletogarnertremendousre-spectthatspillsoverandreflectswellonallofus—ourcountry,team,andorganization.”

InWomen’sAirRifleStanding(R2),DanielleFong,sisterofstandoutsSandyandAbbyFong,fired384/400,onepointbelowherpersonalrecordtofinish13th.However,herbestperformanceoccurredinthe50mRifleProneMixed(R6)event.BothFongandOlson

(alsocompeting),earnedtheopportunitytoshootinthefinal.Olson’sperformancewasparticularlynoteworthyashewassituatedonawindyendoftherange.NoothercompetitorwithintenfiringpointsofOlsonqualifiedforthefinal,includingtheAirRifleProneSH1

goldmedalistshootingrightbesidehim.Seededthird(Fong)andsixth(Olson),theAmericanparalympiansbothshotverydisci-plinedandsmartmatches.Fongfinishedinfifthplacewith688totalpointsforanewpersonalrecord,andOlsonwasjustbehindherinsixthwith687.9points.

Finally,MikeDickeyfinished54thintheAirRifleProneSH1Mixedevent(R3)withascoreof591points.PriortotheIPCWorldShootingChampionships,Mikewasexperimentingwithanewshootingtableforhiswheelchair.Unfortunately,thetableheusedinZagrebwasn’tassturdyashehadhoped.HehassincemetwithLarryMilleratVertecPrecisionMachiningtoconstructtheperfecttable.

TheIPCWorldShootingChampionshipswasaterrificoppor-tunityforourAmericanParalympianstogaininvaluableexperie-enceandaffirmtheircommitmenttoshootingin2012.ThematchprovidedHollen,Dickey,Fong,andOlsontheknowledgenecessarytosuccessfullymoveforwardwiththeirtraining,competition,andshootingcareers.WiththeexceptionoftheParalympicGames,theIPCWorldShootingChampionshipswasthebiggestmatchofthequadrennial,andcertainlyoneofthebiggestcompetitionsforthemajorityoftheUSA’sparalympians.WatchformorenewsasyourAmericanathletescontinueonthepathtoParalympicsuccess.

■Bob Foth, National Paralympic Coach; Photos Courtesy of Yuman Fong

2010 National Championships

TheweatherinColoradoSprings,Colorado,wastypicallyhotandvariableforthe2010USAShootingNationalChampion-shipsforShotgun.Thunderstormsmovedinalmosteveryafternoon,threateningcompetitors,audience,andstaffwithheavyrainandlightning.Despitethesoaringtemperatures

andrain,spiritsandscoresalikewerehigh.Closeto300athletesscatteredacrosstheshotgunrangethroughoutthe12daysofNationals;156forTrap,90forSkeetand33forDoubleTrap.OlympicTrainingComplex(OTC)ResidentAthletesmedaledinalmosteveryevent,astellarshowingforthe2012Olympichopefuls,whilethejuniorsliveduptoexpectationsbypostingsomeexcellentscores.Theoverallperformancebyallathletesshowedtheskillandpotentialofamajorityofthecompetitors,makingforsomechallengingfinalsandexcitingwins.

SergeantVincentHancockoftheUnitedStatesArmyMarksmanshipUnit(USAMU),dominatedMen’sSkeetemergingwitha274/275.HisnearperfectscorewasoneofthehighlightsofShotgunNationals,yetnotasurpriseperformancefromthe2008Olympian.HewasfollowedcloselybyJonMichaelMcGrath,anupandcomingjuniorshooterandrecentadditiontotherosterofOTCResidentAthletes.McGrathedgedoutTJBayerbyonetargetforatotalscoreof269targets.BJBlanchard,alsofromtheOTC,joinedMcGrathandBayerinthelineupofmedalistsforJuniorMen’sSkeet.Blanchardshota266forsecondplacewithMcGrathtakingfirstandTJBayercominginatthird.

TheUSAMUbroughtsuccessfulshooterstothesceneindoubletrapasSergeantGlennEllertookhomethegoldwithatotalof336targetsandteammateStaffSergeantJoshRichmondcameinsecondaftershootingatotalscoreof333targets.SSGRichmondrecentlyclaimedanindividualandteamgoldinMen’sDoubleTrapattheAcapulcoWorldCupthisyearandisonhiswaytofollowinginthefootstepsofSGTEller,2008Olympicgoldmedalist.JoiningtheUSAMUmenonthepodium,DerekHalde-manshotforatotalof328targets,distinguishinghimselfevenfurtherastheJuniorMen’sDoubleTrapChampionwithascoreof327targets.IanRupertandBillyCrawford,bothmembersofasuccessfulWorldCham-pionshipTeam,alsomedaledinMen’sDoubleTrapshooting319and317targets.


Vincent Hancock

Your new Women’s Trap national champion, Rachael Heiden. One short week later, Heiden also claimed the title of National Junior

Olympic Shooting Champion in Junior Women’s Trap.

Sergeant Glenn Eller of the US Army Marksmanship Unit, shoots his way to the Men’s Double Trap national championship title.


Men’sTrapandJuniorMen’sTrapweredominatedbyOTCResidentAthletes.JohnMullinstookasixtargetlead,endingwithatotalof266targetsandgainingthetitleofMen’sTrapChampion.Histeammates,JacobTurnerandColinWietfeldt,wereaclosesecondandthirdplace,shooting260and259targets.WietfeldtalsomedaledinJuniorMen’sTrap,takinghomethegoldmedalwithascoreof260targetsagainstGarrettWaltersandTJBayer’srespective256and254targetstofilloutthepodium.

TheOTCwomenwerenotfarbehindtheirmalecounterparts.RachelHeidencameupwithatotalscoreof253targetstobecomethe2010Women’sTrapChampion.Teammateand2008Olympian,CoreyCogdell,continuedtheOTCtrendwithascoreof249forthird,while

secondplacewascapturedbyKelseyZauharwhowonthespotjustaheadofCogdellwithascoreof250.ThefocusofthisparticularmatchwasdefinitelyonHeiden,givenherparticularlyimpressiveaccomplishmentofwinninganOpeneventwhilestillajunior.However,thissuc-cessisnotunexpectedcomingfromtheyoungwomanwhowasalsothe2010JuniorOlympicWomen’sTrapgoldmedalist.

ThetitleofWomen’sSkeetChampionwenttoKimRhode,whocontinuestosurpassallexpectationsanddeliverimpressivescores.Alreadyafour-timeOlympicmedalist,Rhodeshotforascoreof267targetsatthe2010Nationals.ShecameoutaheadofCaitlinConnor(OTC),whoalsogaveanimpressiveshowingbymedalinginbothWomen’sSkeetandJuniorWomen’sSkeet.ConnorplacedsecondintheOpendivisionwithatotalscoreof262targetsandcameinfirstplaceasJuniorwithasimilarscoreof261targets.Teammate,JaidenGrinnell(OTC)closelyfollowedConnorinbothdivisions,claimingthirdinWomen’sSkeetandsecondinJuniorWomen’sSkeet.Herscoreof259targetsinJuniorWomen’sSkeetwas16aheadofbronzemedalist,MorganCraft(Hughesville,Pennsylvania),aJ2competitor.USAShooting’s2010NationalChampionshipsforShotgunwasasuccessfuleventthatcrownedseveralnewNationalChampionsandtalliedimpressivescores.

■CalahDuryea

Caitlin Connor, Kim Rhode, and Jaiden Grinnell top the podium as the Women’s Skeet medalists.

Former national champion, John Mullins, takes aim at his second consecutive Men’s Trap national championship title.

The Junior Men’s Trap podium featured World Championship team members (L to R) Ian Rupert, Derek Haldeman, and Billy Crawford.

Members of the 2010 World Shooting Championship Team take the podium during the Skeet portion of the USAS National Shooting Championships. (L to R) Brandy Drozd, BJ Blanchard, Jon Michael McGrath, Sergeant Vincent

Hancock, TJ Bayer, Caitlin Connor, Jaiden Grinnell, and Kim Rhode.


Sergeant Joshua Richmond, adouble trap shooter, and Ser-geant First Class Terri DeWitt,a woman’s trap shooter, willserveas theShotgunPrimaryAthleteRepresentativeandAl-ternateAthleteRepresentative,respectively.Sgt.RichmondandSgt.1stClassDewitt,bothfromtheUSArmyMarksmanshipUnit(USAMU),wereelectedbycompetitorsinthe2010USAShooting National Championships. Their term of service isfouryears,beginningwiththeUSAShootingBoardofDirec-torsmeetinginOctober.Thoseathletes,alongwiththeAthleteAdvisoryCommitteeRepresentative,ConnieSmotek,provideavoicefortheathletesandplayanactiveroleinUSASBoardfunctions,subcommittees,andactions.--USAShootingmem-berswhowishtocontactSgt.Richmondmaycallhimat706-

570-7455,oremailhimatjrrchmnd@yahoo.comorSgt.1stClassDeWittbycalling706-545-1152oremailingtheresa.dewitt@usaac.army.mil.(July15,2010)

At the National Junior Olympic Championships (NJOSC) Ian Rupert smoked the competition in the Men’s Double Trap final. Rupert finished with 175 targets--exactly four targets above sil-vermedalistGarrettWalters.Waltersfinishedat171targets.Thebronzemedalist,DavidRadulovich,shotastrong44targetfinaltofinishat170targets.IntheWomen’sevent,RachaelHeiden(pic-tured above, center), who just won the National ChampionshipstitleforWomen’sOpenTrap,conqueredtheNJOSCeventaswell. Heidenwalkedintothefinalwithafourtargetlead(113birds)andshotasolid23-targetfinal. ThesilvermedalistwasKayleBrowningat131totaltargets. BrowningandbronzemedalistStephanieMar-tinagobothenteredthefinalwith109targets,butBrowningbrokeaheadasMartinagoshota19targetfinal. TheMen’sNJOSCTrapChampion was Garrett Walters, who shot for 142 targets. SilvermedalistJacobGognoshota20-targetfinal. Thebronzemedalistwas JakeWallacewith137 total targets. InMen’sSkeet thegoldmedalistwasJonMichaelMcGrath,whoshotupfromfourthplacewithaperfect25X25inthefinalround.PhillipJungmantooksecondandWilliamBrazellbecamethebronzemedalist.InWomen’sSkeet,CaitlinConnor,thegoldmedalist,finishedat144targetsandJaidenGrinnell,thesilvermedalist,scored139targets.ThebronzemedalistwasMorganCraftat136targets.Forallcategories,visitthepressreleases.(July10,2010/July21,2010/July23,2010)

At the ISSF World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia, Matt Emmonsknockedoutanoutstanding1278.4totalpointsforagoldmed-alinMen’s50mRifle3Position. SFCDarylSzarenskifinishedfourthinMen’s10mAirPistol,just1.3pointsshyofthebronzemedalist. Szarenski, finished with 683.5 total points and thentook10thinMen’s50mPistol.Histeammate,BrianBeamanalsoqualifiedforthefinalswith583matchpointsandshotastrong99.8pointfinal.AlsocompetinginafinalwasUSA’sJamieBeyer-le,whofinishedfifthinWomen’s10mAirRifle.Beyerlestayedinthetoptenfinishing7thinWomen’sThreePositionwithascoreof677.9.(Rank)MichaelMcPhailtookhomethegoldinMen’s50mPronewithascoreof702.8andteammate,MattEmmons,camein4thshooting701.4.(June30,2010/July2,2010)

For full press releases on all USAS Bulletin and Performance Reports, please visit www.usashooting.org.

Performance Reports

MattEmmons—AnamethatevokesthoughtsofOlympicmedals,nationalrecords,andAmericanglory.Notonlyisheregardedasoneofthetoprifleshootersintheworld,butEmmons(GrandRapids,MN)isalsoanactivememberoftheshootingcommunity.InthepastthreeWorldCups—theonlythreethatheattended—hetalliedfourmedals.Moreover,threeofhismedalswereintheMen’s50mRifle3Positionevent,notabadaverageforthetop-ranked50m3Positionshooterintheworld.Emmonsalsofinished10th(Sydney)and12th(USA)inMen’s10mAirRiflecompetition,provinghisversatilityasanathlete.HisotherWorldCupmedalwasabronzefromWorldCupUSAinMen’s50mRifleProne.MattalsorecentlyfinishedfourthinMen’s50mRifleProneinBelgrade.

Emmonsisaworld-classcompetitorandsportsman.Hisoutstandingperformances,historyinthesport,andaffabilityearnedanodfromtheInternationalShootingSportsFederationastheyappointedhimtheAthleteRoleModelforthe2010YouthOlympicGames.Emmonswillserveastheloneshootingrepresentativetoprovideencouragementandguidancetoyoungathletes.WhennotifiedofhisAthleteoftheMonthaward,Emmons,ateam-player,said,“I’mhonored--theteamisshootinggreat,wearereadyforWorldChampion-ships!”Thegameisonandthegauntlethasbeenthrowndown—EmmonsislookingtogofourforfourinMen’s50mRifle3PositionattheWorldChampionshipsinMunich,GermanyinAugust,andtheUSAwillbecheeringhimon.USAShootingwouldliketocon-gratulateMattEmmonsonhisterrificperformanceandinvolvementintheshootingsports,andonhisbeingnamedtheUSAShootingAthleteofthemonthforJuly!

July: Matt Emmons

RachaelHeidenmaynotbeabletorentacarwithoutheftyfees,yetsheisoneofthemosttalentedfemaletrapathletesintheUSA.NationalCoachBretEricksonwassingingherpraisesashesaid,“I’mproudofthehardworksheputsinhertraining,itisreflectiveofhersuccessontheline.Shehasvaultedherselfintoapositiontobeatopcontenderforthe2012games[forWomen’sTrap].”InJuly,Heiden(Clinton,Mich.)notonlywonthetitleofNationalChampioninWomen’sTrap,butoneweeklateralsoassertedherdominanceontheJuniorfieldaswell.Heidennailed253targetsinUSAShooting’sNationalChampionships,leadingthecompetitionbythreetar-gets.IntheNationalJuniorOlympicShootingChampionships,Heiden’ssteadyaimcreatedafivetargetgap;shefinishedwith136totaltargets.Moreover,afewdaysago,Heiden’sstrongshootinghelpedtheJuniorWomen’sTrapteamtoateamgoldmedal.Inindividualcompetition,HeidencrushedChina’sZhuJingyuwithjustonetargetinashoot-offforthebronzemedal.

Notonlyisthistalentedathleteanoutstandingshooter,butHeidenisalsoinvolvedintheshootingcommunity.Atthisyear’sNRAShow,sheservedasan“NRAAmbassador,”helpingtopromoteshootingsportstoyouthacrossAmerica.ForashooterthatmovedfromMichigantoTexastotakeadvantageofdailytraining,Heidencertainlyhasthehardwaretoshowforthesacrificesshehasmadeonherpathtosuccess.HercommitmenttofurtheringthesportofshootingviayoutheducationandoutstandingperformanceonthefieldmakeRachaelHeidentheclearchoiceforUSAShooting’sAugustAthleteoftheMonth.CongratulationsRachael!

August: Rachael Heiden

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Test Your USA Shooting Knowledge1. Though there are many differences between American and International Trap, what is the difference in the angle of the targets each side of center? a.American-20degrees;International-30degrees b.American-17.5degrees;International-45degrees c.American-19degrees;International-45degrees d.American-20degrees;International-30degrees

2. Which shooting Paralympian also has an Olympian sister? a.MikeDickey b.DanielleFong c.EricHollen d.JoshOlson

3. Which non-Olympic events were contested at the World Shooting Championships? a.Men’s300mStandardRifle b.JuniorWomen’s50mRifleProne c.Men’s50mRunningTarget d.AlloftheAbove

4. During which years was shooting omitted from the Olympic Games? Hint: Pick two! a.1904 b.1908 c.1932 d.1928

5. The USA Shooting Team women are very successful across the disciplines, yet in which discipline and event have they yet to win an Olympic medal? a.Women’s25mSportPistol b.Women’sTrap c.Women’s50m3PositionRifle d.Women’s10mAirPistol

6. What is the time limit for the prone series during Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Position? a.45minutes b.60minutes c.30minutes d.75minutes

7. Who was the last woman to win an Olympic medal in Women’s 25m (Sport) Pistol? a.RubyFox b.GailLiberty c.KimDyer d.SandraUptagrafft

8. What were the only two Olympic shooting events held in the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif.? a.Men’s50mRifleProne b.Men’s50mFreePistol c.Men’s25mRapidFirePistol d.Men’s50mRifle3Position

9. When was the US Army Marksmanship Unit established? a.1950 b.1944 c.1956 d.1968

10. How many open individual gold medals did the USA Shooting Team win at this year’s World Shooting Championships? a.Four b.Three c.Six d.Two

28 USA Shooting NewsAnswers are on page 33

On The Complex / Director Operations Marketing Competitions

World Championship Assessment

The50thWorldShootingChampionshipswere,withnodissentingopinions,thebestever!TheDeutcherSchützenbund(GermanSportShootingFederation)didanoutstandingjobinplanning,organizingandexecutingthelargestOlympic-styleshootingcompetitiontodate.Over2,300athletescompetedin4,000evententriesrepresenting103countries.Itwasanenormousundertakingtocoordinatehotels,volunteersupport,transportation,training,andcompetition.

TheHochbrückOlympicShootingRangeservedanidealsitewithallrangeswithinashortwalkofoneanother.Althoughthesiteofthe1972OlympicGames,thecontinualmodernizationoftherangecom-plexprovidedanexcellentenvironmentwithelectronictargets,fivenewshotgunfields,afinalshall,andanawardceremonypavilion.

TheU.S.TeamwasthelargestevertoattendanISSFcompetitionwithover100athletes,coaches,andstaff.BobAylward,ExecutiveOfficerfortheUSArmyMarksmanshipUnit,didanexcellentjobcoordinatingalltravel,entries,housing,andpre-championshiptrain-ing.Asatestamenttoourstrongteamwork,everyTeammemberreportedtotheappropriateplaceontimeintheproscribeddresswithnoerrorsoromissions—quiteafeatwiththelargenumberofathleteswhohadnotpreviouslyattendedsuchanevent.IamproudtoreportthatourTeam—yourTeam—lookedgreatintheirnewuniforms,representedtheUnitedStateshonorablyandperformedwellontheranges.

MuchWorldShootingChampionshipinformationisreportedinthiseditionofUSAShootingNewsdetailingathletes,events,andresults,butIwouldliketoprovideadditionalinsight.WehadveryhighoutcomeexpectationsgoingintothisWorldChampionshipwiththegoaltowinsevenindividualmedalsinOlympicevents.Whilesomewhatofastretchconsideringwewononlyonemedalatthe2006WorldShootingChampionshipsinZagrebin2006,theobjec-tiveswererealisticconsideringourstrongWorldCupresultsinboth2009and2010.However,thereweredisappointmentsand,aswasthecaseinMunich,therewerepleasantsurprisesaswell.WedidstartslowerthanexpectedmissingthefinalsinWomen’sTrap,andthenmakingfinalsbutnotmedalinginMen’sAirRifle,Men’s50mFree

Pistol,andWomen’s10mAirRifle.OutcomesbecamemorepositivewithMattEmmonswinningthebronzemedalandanOlympicquotaplaceinMen’s50mRifleProne,andJamieBeyerle,inspiteofabackstrain,qualifiedforthefinalinWomen’s50mRifle3Positionandwonaquotaplace.

JoshRichmondthentookcommandinMen’sDoubleTrapwin-ningthegoldmedalandquotaplacewhileequalingtheworldrecord,withteammateJeffHolguinfinishingfourth.ThoseperformanceswerefollowedbyKimRhodeearningherfirstWorldShootingChampionshiptitleinWomen’sSkeet,andconcludingwithVinnyHancock’sfifthplacefinishandquotaplaceinMen’sSkeet.WhentheshootingconcludedtheU.S.TeamwonthreeindividualmedalsinOlympicevents,securedfiveOlympicquotaplaces,andplaced12shootersinfinalscompetitions.

OurTeammembersalsomadenamesforthemselvesineventteamcompetition—whichisconductedonlyattheWorldChampi-onships—bywinningchampionshiptitlesinWomen’s50mRifle3Position,Men’sDoubleTrap,Women’sSkeet,andrepeatingforthesecondconsecutiveWorldShootingChampionshipinMen’s50mRifleProne.EquallyimpressivewastheperformanceofourjuniorshooterswithJonMichaelMcGrath,MirandaWilder,andSharonBarazaniwinningJuniorWorldChampionshipsinSkeet,Trap,and50mRiflePronerespectively.Thereweremanymoreexcellentper-formancesinboththeOpenandJuniorindividualandteameventsthatdemonstrateourTeam’sabilityandconfirmourfuturepotential,whichismostexciting.

AlthoughourNationalCoachesarerecognizedforanexcellentjobinpreparingourathletesforcompetition,muchcreditforthesuccessofourshootersisduetothecoachesandclubswheretheseathleteslearntheskillsofcompetitiveshootingandtrainonaregularbasis.

AlloftheUSAShootingfamilycantakeimmenseprideintheresultsofourUSAShootingTeamatthe50thWorldShootingCham-pionships,andwesincerelythankyouforyourinvolvementandsupport!■BobMitchell




Snapshots from a Fist PumperThecameraneverlies—orsothesayinggoes.Yetmydigital

cameraonlycapturedpartofthetruth—ortruths—evidentatthe50thWorldShootingChampionship,whereyourUSTeammemberspouredtheirsoulsintoeveryshot.Thecameracouldn’tcaptureMirandaWilder’selationassheclaimedherWorldChampionshiptitleinJuniorWomen’sTrap.NorcoulditgraspthemixofemotionsinJakeTurnerashechargedintothefinalinMen’sTrap—hisfirstinamajorcompetition.Butthecameradidonethingunerringly:itfocused.

Sointhespiritofthesnapshot—withasmuchfocusasIcanpro-videinafewwords—I’llsharewithyousomeoftheindelibleimagesandcorrespondinglessonsfromthegrandestmatchinthehistoryofInternationalshooting.

Firstimage:MattEmmons.Heisaclearthreattowinamedalinthreeeventseverytimehechecksintoamatch.He’llcompeteinhisthirdOlympicGamesin2012,nodoubt,andhe’llbethemantobeat.InMen’s3-PositionRifle,thecameracaughtthesurpriseinhisfaceasheinadvertentlytriggeredanerrantshotatthestartofhiskneel-ingseries.Tenpointslost,potentialmedallost,Olympicquotaplacelost,andclearly,anopportunitylost.ButwecanallgainasenseofsomethingthatMatthasinabundance:Persistence.Shotaftershot,matchaftermatch,Mattcontinuestoplugaway,takingthebadwiththegood,andit’smostlygood.Beforehecaseshisrifleforthelasttime,Ipredicthe’lldoubleortriplethetwoOlympicmedalshealreadyowns.Persistence.

JamieBeyerleispersistent,weknow,butalsodetermined.ShewasdeterminedtograbthatOlympicquotaplaceinWomen’s3-Posi-tionRifle,andalthoughshewassittingineighthplacewithoneshotremaininginthefinal,shedidwhatanydeterminedathletewoulddo:Shoota10.7onthattenthshottojumpuptofifthplaceandgrabthatquotaplace.Whatimagedidthecameragrab?Nothing!Iwassobusyjumpingandyellingandfist-pumpingthatIforgottosnapthemoment.Forme,notsomuch,butforJamie,plenty:Determination.

IwasdeterminedtogetagoodpicintheDoubleTrapfinal,whereJoshRichmondabsolutelywouldNOTlethisgoldenmomentslipaway.Heledthematchfromstarttofinish,andhefinishedinspectacularfashion,smashingall50targetstoequalawordrecordinthefinalsandwinthemedalandthequotagoingaway.Thepicture?Notsogreat.AdrivingrainfoggedthelensbutonlyintensifiedJosh’sbestquality:Desire.Nooneintheworldwantedthatvictorymorethanhe.Desire.

HowbadlydidVincentHancock,2008OlympicGoldMedalistinMen’sSkeet,wanttowinamedalandaquota?Well,healwayswantstowin,comesreadytoshooteverytime,andnevertoleratesmissingatarget.Andyetmisshedid—threetimesinoneday—andfoundhimselftangledinashoot-offwithAndersGoldingfromDenmarkforfifthplaceandthatcher-

ishedquotaslot.Nooneintheworldistougherinashoot-offthanVincent,andhejustrolledthosetargets...Ihavethepinkpuffsofsmokeinthepicturetoproveit.Butwhatdidthecameramiss?Vincent’srealstrengthishishighstandardofexcellenceeverytimehestepsonthefield—practiceorWorldChampionships.Vincent’ssecretisthis:Henotonlyimpressesuswithhishighscores(andhehasplenty),buthealsoimpressesuswitha“low”score,whichinthiscase,wasamere147X150.Excellence.

ForKimRhode,thecameracouldn’tcatchoneofherbestquali-ties:Herwillingnesstowork.Sheis,byfar,thehardestworkerontheTeam(see“W.O.R.K.”intheMar/Apr2010issue).Fiveorsixdaysaweekshemarchesouttooneofthreerangesnearherhomeandthenpoundsout400–1000roundsaday.Eightinthemorningto2:00PM,KimRhodewillbeknockingouttargetslikeaneagerbeginner.It’swhatshedoes,it’swhosheis,andit’swhyshe’sgreat.Bothanounandaverb,“work”forKimisherlifeintrainingsothatinthebiggestmatchinhistoryshecandowhatsheexpectsofherself:Performandwin.Thecameradidcatchonesparklingimage:Kimonthevictorystandwithbothhandsraisedinanexaltedpostureofebullience.Shedeservedit.Sheworked.

Myfavoriteimage?It’stheoneyouseeonthecoverofthisissue—BrandyDrodz,CaitlinConnor,andJaidenGrinnellclaimingtheirgoldmedalfortheJuniorWomen’sSkeetevent.Embodiedinthatpicturearelotsofcrystallineconcepts,includingtheprideofshoot-ingfortheUSA,bondingwithsupportiveteammates,celebratingahard-foughtvictory,andrevelinginanunforgettablemomentinanunfathomableevent.Andthecameracaughtthebestfeatureofall,theoneweallsharedasourathletesdidusproud:Joy.

■BillRoy


Shooting Industry MastersMembersoftheUSAShootingTeamrecentlytrav-

eledtoGrandIsland,Neb.,toparticipateinthe8thAnnualShootingIndustryMastersand19thAnnualShootingIndustryAcademyofExcellenceAwardshostedbyFMGPublications. Thisyear’sShootingIndustryMastersevent,conductedatGrandIsland’sHeartlandPublicShootingPark,23–24July,featuredarecordnumberofindustryteamswith270shooterscompetingforindividualandteambraggingrightsinprofessionalandindustryclasses.

InconjunctionwiththeMastersevent,theShoot-ingIndustryAcademyofExcellencehelditsannualbanquettorecognizetheshootingindustry’sbestbyawardingthe2010AcademyofExcellenceAwardsto14winnersthatemergedfromaclassof114productentriesand41serviceawardnominees. FMGPub-lications,anOfficialSponsorofUSAShooting,heldafundraiserduringtheeventthatraisedarecord$32,000tobenefittheNSSF’sFirstShotsPrograminadditionto$7,000raisedtosupporttheUSAShoot-ingTeam. CongratulationstoalloftheMastersandAcademyofExcellencewinnersand“ThankYou”toFMGPublicationsforyoursupportoftheUSAShootingTeam! FormoreinformationontheShootingIndustryMastersandShootingIndustryAcademyofExcellencepleasevisitwww.shootingindustry.com.

■CorrieWest

Meet Calah Duryea, the New Coaches’ Administrative Assistant/Team Manager

CalahDuryeacomestoUSAShootingasarecentColoradoresident.MovingfromFloridainthelatefallof2009,CalahworksasanadministrativeassistanttoboththecoachesandUSASstaff.Herprimaryresponsibilitiesincludebookingflightsforathletesandcoaches,assistingwithpaperworkforentriesinvariouscompetitions,andgeneralofficeprojects.Despitetheshorttimeshehasbeenhere,CalahhasalreadyhadtheopportunitytoassistwithsomeoftherecentcompetitionsinBelgradeandMunich,aswellasissuingteamuniformstotheover90competitorsandstaffthatwenttotheWorldChampionship.InearlyJune,shetrav-eledtoFortBenning,GeorgiatoobserveandassistwithRifle/PistolNationals.RegardingthistripCalahsaid,“IfeltthatIlearnedsomuchsimplyobservingthedifferentcompetitorsandmatches.TheexperiencewasinvaluableandI’mverygratefulthatIwasgiventheopportunitytogainsomehandsonexperiencewithUSASatacompetition.IhavelearnedagreatdealbothaboutUSASandthesportofshooting.”

A2008graduateofHillsdaleCollegeinMichigan,CalahislookingforwardtoutilizinghertalentsgleanedasanEnglishmajor.Shebelievesthattheabilitytocommunicateeffectivelybothorallyandthroughwritingisanimportantassetinanyfieldbutparticularlyinherroleasadministrativeandcoaches’assistant.CalahbelievesthathernewpositionwithUSASsuitsherskillsadmirablyasshereallyenjoysworkingandinteractingwiththecoaches,staffandmembers.

Whensheisn’tbookingplanetickets,Calahenjoyslongwalks,agoodbook,aloveofbakingthatsheinheritedfromherMother,andwatchingbaseballgames,particularlytheTampaBayRays.CalahalsolikesvisitingherfamilyinFloridaandspendingtimewithherfouryoungersiblings.SheisexcitedtocontinuelearningaboutthesportofshootingandhappytoassistanyonewhohasquestionsaboutUSAS.Calahcanbereachedat719-866-4883andcalah.duryea@usashooting.org


2008 Olympic Men’s Double Trap gold medalist Glenn Eller shooting with Team TimneyTriggers at the Shooting Industry Masters.



Rapid ChangesThecompetitionseasonhascomeand

gonehereatUSAShooting.TherearejustafewmatchesremainingonthecalendarandtheCompetitionsofficeisfinallyget-tingachancetowrapuplooseendsfromanintense2010season.Itisalsothetimewhenweareabletoreflectontheexcellentaccomplishmentsofourathletes,thelaugh-terandfunwehadwithourfantasticgroupofvolunteers,andrecountallofourmemo-riesfromthelastsixmonthsofevents.

AgroupofyoungskeetshootersreallytouchedmyheartthisyearwhenIheardabouttheiradventuresinColorado.Brothers,JoeandRoyChavelitlekha,TreyBu-retz,TJBayerandandCoulterandGrangerDeWitt(alsobrothers)decidedtotakeabreakfromtrainingbetweentheUSAShootingNationalChampionshipsandtheJuniorOlympics(bothheldinColo-radoSprings)toraftdowntheArkansasRivernearCañonCity,Colorado.Forsomeoftheboysitwastheirfirstwhitewaterraftingtrip,andlikeallteenageboyswhoenjoytheoutdoors,theywerepumpedforacoolnewadventure.Theraftguidetestedtheboysthroughthefirstfewmilesoftheriverheadingintotherapidstoassesstheirabilities.Withsixfit,confidentteenageguys,theguidewasexcitedthisrunwouldbefunandtheboyswouldbeabletoengageinmorechalleng-ingsectionsoftheriver.

Whitewaterraftingisfull-onadrenaline

rushfromstarttofinishandamust-doforanythrill-seekerwhovisitsColorado.Theguidesarewell-trainedandveryfamiliarwiththestretchofrivertheyraftdaily.Safetyisfirstpriorityandraftersarebriefed

later,butJoestruggledtobreakthesurface.“Ifeltthepopinmylegsometimesoonafterfallingoverboard,buttheadrenalineworkedwellasapainkiller.EverytimeIswamtothesurfacetheraftwasaboveme.I’mnotsurehowlongIhadbeenunderwaterexactly.AfterawhileIwasontheedgeofblackingout,”Joerecalls.Abovethewater,theboyswerepanickedbyJoe’sdisappearance;TJcontemplatedjumpingbackintosaveagoodfriend.Theseconds

passedlikehoursasthetimekeepstickingandJoehasyettosurface.TheguidesuggestsjumpingontheraftinanefforttopopJoefromthespotwhereheremainedtrappedundertheraft.MomentslaterJoesurfacesandistuggedontotheboat.TheboatandtheboysfloattosafetytowhereJoeisrushedofftothehospital.

Justafewdayslater,Joeisoutattheshotgunrangewithcastandcrutchesaftersufferingaspiralfractureinhislegthatrequiredsurgery.HeistheretocheeronhisbrotherRoyandfriendsTJ,Coulter,GrangerandTrey,excitedtoseethemcompleteintheNationalJuniorOlympics.Hisspiritismostinspiringandupliftingashere-countstheeventsoftheadven-turedowntheArkansasRiver.It

wasatriptheywillneverforgetandshareforalifetime.Joeeventhinkstheymightevenhavearematchwith“sledgehammer”sometimedowntheroad.Butforrightnowtheyarealljusthappytobeabletosharethememories,friendshipsandthe

sportofskeet.Undoubtedly,2011willbringmoreadventuresand“rapid”changeforcompetitorsandtheCompetitionsdepart-mentalike!

■Lindsay Brooke

ontherulesoftherapidsduringthe20minutebusrideuptothedropoffpointandpatronsaretestedontheirabilitiesassoonastheraftentersthewater.Emphasisisalwaysplacedonwork-ingasateamwhileontheriver.

Theboysenjoyedagreatdayontherapids,andnearingtheendtheboatapproachedasectionoftherivercalled“sledgehammer”andbecausetheboysdisplayedgreatteamworkandskill,theguideledthemdownthemorechallengingportionoftherapids.Theboys

werelaughingandexcitedbythethrillofthejourneydowntheriver.Asthenoseoftheboatrippedintotherapid,theimpactwastoostrong,throwingthreeoftheboysoverboard.TJBayerwasthefirsttorecover,hittingarock,butabletograbaholdoftheboatandclimbbackin.

CoulterDeWittandJoeChavelitlekhawerestillinthewater,tryingtoreachthesurfaceandfindtheboatamongsttheintensepressureoftherushingwaterovertherockyterrain.TheboysareabletoliftCoulterintotheboatmoments

Survivors of an epic rafting adventure (L to R): Granger DeWitt, Joe Chave-litlekha, Trey Buretz, TJ Bayer, Coulter DeWitt, and Ray Chavelitlekha.

“As the nose of the boat ripped into the rapid, the impact was too strong, throwing three of the boys overboard.”

Test Your USAS Knowledge: ANSWERS*Retractions:Inthepreviousissue,questionsevenasked“WhowasthelastAmericantowinamedalinMen’sTrap.”Whiletheanswerwas

listedasGlennEller,goldinthe2008gamesinMen’sDoubleTrap,thecorrectanswerwasJoshLakatos(silver)andLanceBade(bronze)inthe1996OlympicGames.Inaddition,questionnineasked“WhowasthefirstUSParalympiantowinaParalympicShootingMedal.”ThoughDanJordan(2004silverMen’s3PositionRifle)isacorrectanswer,clarificationisnecessary.RogerWithrowwonagoldmedalinthe1984NewYork/StokeMandevilleParalympicGamesinMen’s10mAirRifle,whichwereformerlyaseparateentitycalledtheWheelchairGames.

1. (b) American trap - 17.5degreesandInternationaltrap-45degrees;thetwoeventsvarygreatlyintheanglesatwhichtargetsarethrown.2. (b) Danielle Fong shares an Olympic sibling—SandyFong,amemberofthe2008OlympicteamforWomen’s50mRifle3Position. 3. (d) All of the above. Inadditiontothe15Olympiceventscontested,theISSFalsohostedjunioreventsandseveral300m,runningtarget,andnon-Olympicpistolevents.4. (a) and (d), In1904and1928shootingeventswereremovedfromtheOlympicGamesduetocontroversiesandamateurrules. 5. (d) AmericanshaveyettowinanOlympicmedalinWomen’s10mAirPistol.6. (a) Men’s 50m 3 Position rifle consists of 120 shots -40eachinprone,kneeling,andstanding.Inprone,athleteshave45minutestofireallshots,60minutesforthestandingseries,and75minutesforkneeling. 7. (a) - RubyFoxwonthesilvermedalinWomen’s25mSportPistolatthe1984OlympicGamesinLosAngeles,Calif.8. (a) and (c) - Afterahiatusfromshootingsportsinthe1928Olympics,the1932Gamesresultedinamateurrulesthatwerestrictlyinterpreted,thusresultinginthepreventionofmanytopshootersfromcompeting.9. (c) - TheUSAMUwasestablishedin1956underthedirectionofPresidentDwightD.Eisenhower.10. (d) - TheUSAwontwoindividualgoldmedalsintheOpencategoryattheWorldShootingChampionships.ThethirdmedalwaswonbyMattEmmons—abronzemedalinMen’s50mRifleProne.


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Director ElectionTheNominatingCommitteeisseekingqualifiedcandidatestoserveontheUSAShootingBoardofDirectorsforthreeseatsthatareupfor

electionthisfall.TwoAt-LargepositionsaswellasthefundraisingseatwillbeelectedbytheBoardattheOctober23rdmeetingwiththenewdirectorsseatedatthespringmeetingandservingafour-yearterm.TheNominatingCommitteeisseekingcandidateswhowillmeasurablyaddtothebreadthandscopeoftheBoardandwhoseskills,abilitiesandpotentialvaluearenotalreadyadequatelyrepresented.Candidatesforthefundraisingpositionshouldhaveaproventrackrecordoffundraisingexperience,withemphasisonnon-profitorganizations.

Nominationsshouldincludeapersonalstatementandbiographyoutliningqualifications.NominationscanbesenttoDr.JamesLally,ChairmanoftheNominatingCommittee,viapostalserviceto;ChinoValleyMedicalCenter,5451WalnutAvenue,Chino,CA91710-2609;[email protected].


Volunteer Program ReduxForvolunteerdrivenorganizations,itisessentialtohaveavolunteerprogramthatisnotonlyinviting,butalsoprovidesadequateandup-

datedinformation.USAShootingisintheprocessofupdatingitsvolunteerprogramtobetterservetheneedsofitsvolunteersinregardtoin-formationandeducation.Suchareasofrenovationinclude:instructionalmanualsforrangeofficers,ruleclarificationstoensureconsistency,andaregionalmentortrainingprogramtoassistinthefamiliarizationandeducationofrookievolunteersatboththeclubandnationallevels.WandaJewell,longtimeUSASvolunteer,willcoordinatethiseffortbycontactingexperiencedrangepersonnelandjudgesforinformationandinputintheredesign.Anyassistanceandinputwillbegreatlyappreciated.PleasecontactWandaatwrjbronze@comcast.net.

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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS REPORT - USA Shootingoccur two years after the Olympic Games. The WSC every four...

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Transcript of WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS REPORT - USA Shootingoccur two years after the Olympic Games. The WSC every four...