Two JROTC WaHi Cadets Receive Invites to USA Shooting Junior Olympics
Two students from Walla Walla High School JROTC Rifle Team received invitations to one of the most exclusive junior air rifle events in the United States. Hosted by USA Shooting this year in Anniston, Alabama, the Junior Olympic Air Rifle National Championship is limited to individuals who qualify as champions in sanctioned state matches earlier in the season.
Cadet Colonel Hannah Goin and Cadet Major Sarah Nelson, both seniors, qualified for the match this year in the state Women’s Air Rifle events in January. The national event includes two days of shooting 60 record shots, all from the standing unsupported position at a target 10 meters distant. To score a 10, competitors’ shots must touch a pin-hole-sized dot in the center of a target roughly the size of a .50 cent piece. If the 10-ring is hit, the closer the dot is to the center of the shot, the higher the value of the 10, up to a maximum value of 10.9 for a shot that places the dot exactly at the center. In Junior Olympic Nationals, shots are scored by decimal, so a normal 100-point target carries a total possible value of 109. Junior class athletes in this event may compete until the age of 21, which leads the event to include many NCAA College shooters.
“This is one of the only events during the year where our high school athletes have the chance to compete against college-age shooters.” Said WaHi Rifle Coach Mark Mebes. “There is no team event here, so only individuals can qualify.
On the first day of competition, Goin came off the firing line with a career high score of 606.9, a standing match personal record for her, besting her qualifying score by several points.
“This is the kind of match that I have been working to have all year.” Said Goin after the competition. “Everything just felt right today.”
Nelson finished the first day not far behind her teammate with a 598.5.
On the second day of competition, Goin completed record fire in the early morning relay with a 585.6 for a two-day total of 1192.5 and ultimately a 183rd place finish.
Nelson had her best day on day 2, finishing the match on a 602.0, with a two-day total of 1200.5 and a placement of 168th. Sarah’s best target was her third, scoring 104.8 during a run where she fired 12 shots in a row that hit the 10-ring.
“I am so excited about that third target.” Said Nelson, “When we shoot a 100 offhand, it gets framed and hangs on the range with our picture. It’s my first one.”
“Both of these shooters performed exceedingly well against this field.” Said WaHi Rifle Coach Mark Mebes, “It says a lot for a high school athlete that they can come here and stand toe-to-toe with some of the best college shooters in the US.”
Nelson and Goin were also able to watch former Walla Walla High School teammate Micah Vawter, now shooting for the rifle team at Hillsdale College in Michigan in the Men’s Air Rifle category. Vawter’s best target also included a 100 offhand.
“It was great watching Vawter compete at the college level,” Said Mebes, “I am looking forward to seeing where his college shooting career takes him over the next few years.”
Both Goin and Nelson returned home to begin training for the CMP National Championship in Camp Perry, Ohio, this July.
