I will do my best to describe a very eventful week for the Army Pistol Team in this post. For the past year, the Army Pistol Team has been training hard for numerous competitions against competitors such as the US Coast Guard Academy, the US Merchant Marine Academy, Ohio State University and of course the United States Naval Academy. In addition to having an undefeated season, the team did very well in Sectionals (which determines what teams and individual shooters are invited to Nationals at Fort Benning, Georgia). Eleven shooters were invited to the event. First, let me tell you a little bit about each event. Women may participate in all five Olympic style events which are Women’s Air Pistol, Sport Pistol, Free Pistol, Standard Pistol and Open Air Pistol. Men may only participate in Free, Open Air and Standard Pistol. In the Air pistol events, 40 shots (women’s) or 60 shots (open) are fired from a .177 caliber air pistol. In the Free Pistol event, shooters are given 2 hours to shoot 60 shots at a 50m target. Standard pistol is a 60 shot match fired over 25 meters and is divided into three timed sequences. Lastly, Sport Pistol is a 60 shot match shot over 25 meters subdivided into two main sequences – slow and rapid fire.

Although the week did not go perfectly (our flight to Atlanta was cancelled), I had a great time with the rest of my teammates. We arrived in Georgia early to prepare mentally for the Competition (pistol is perhaps more mentally challenging than physically challenging) on Monday. On Tuesday, the team checked in with the National Rifle Association to register pistols and competitors. Wednesday was the official practice day which allowed the shooters to become accustomed to the particular way that the firing ranges were set up. Thursday brought the Women’s Air Pistol Event, the Free Pistol Event and a welcoming banquet later that night. We placed third overall in Women’s Air with Kelley Jhong placing third in the individual event. Additionally, we placed first in the Free Event with Danny Moore placing second overall. On Friday, the women shot Sport Pistol. The team placed second and Heather Deppe won first prize in the individual event. On Saturday, the team went into the Open Air Competition in first place overall. After an outstanding performance from everyone on the Open Air Team, we won! Senior Dave Matoi did especially well placing second overall with a high final. Later that night, there was a nice awards ceremony and banquet in which Army was declared the National Champions!

After a long day of traveling today, I am reflecting on my spring break this year. I cannot have wished for a better time or a better outcome. I loved spending time with my friends and of course, winning Nationals!

Some members of the team prepare for registration.

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