The competitor field is set for the 2008 U.S. Army Open Air Rifle Championship. Over 1,541 shooters sent in targets to the CMP for the Postal stage of the competition, this stage determined the State Champions who then advance to the U.S. Army Open Air Rifle Nationals that will be held at Fort Benning, GA 7-9 August.

The competition was open to school age teams and individuals. Once the targets were scored the 10 highest qualifying sporter and precision teams (only one per state or at-large category) advanced to the second annual U.S. Army Junior Open Air Rifle Championship, which is conducted by the Army Marksmanship Unit.

Results from the Postal qualification can be viewed at http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=3290.  U. S. Army Air Rifle Championship Medals are awarded to members of State Championship Teams (4 medals) and State Individual Champions or At-Large state category in both sporter and precision classes. For a list of medal winners, visit http://www.odcmp.com/3P/ArmyOpenStateAwards.pdf.

In the Sporter Individual Category, Crystal Jackson of Ripley HS, TN, edged out Jordan McCalvin, also from Ripley HS, TN. Both fired 284 scores with identical scores in the three position, but Jackson won the tie-breaker. Following closely was Danielle Poteete of Spanish Springs HS, NV, firing a 283. Jackson and McCalvin lead their team along with Matthew Berkley (277) and Christopher Vallery (266) to top overall Sporter Team score of 1111. Ripley HS is coached by MAJ Hugh Cook (Ret). Spanish Springs HS, NV, followed with a 1097 and West Ashley HS, SC, with a 1089.

In the Precision Individual Category, Emily Holsopple of the Ridgway Rifle Club, PA, shot a top score of 392. Courtney Duncan of East Coweta HS, GA won a tie-breaker over Rebecca Thompson of Sutter Union HS, CA; both fired 390 scores. The Buffalo Sharpshooters, ND, coached by Eric Pueppke, topped the Precision Overall Team listing with a 1547 score. Team members were Soren Butler (389), Kelsey Hansen (389), Matthew Pueppke (387) and Brandon Godbout (382). East Coweta HS, GA, edged out the Palmyra Jr Rifle Team, PA, for a second overall team winning tie-breaker. Both teams finished with a score of 1517.

The competition at Fort Benning will begin with a full-day clinic for the shooters and coaches taught by members of the Army’s elite International Rifle Team. This will be followed by two days of competition and an awards banquet. Scores from the event can be followed live on the CMP website at www.odcmp.com, so make sure to log on once competition begins on 8 August.

For a complete listing of who qualified for the 2008 U.S. Army Junior Open Air Rifle Championships or for more information about the event, please visit the CMP website at http://www.odcmp.com/3P/armyopenchamp.htm. Congratulations to all the advancing teams and thanks to all the teams and individuals who participated in this year’s U. S. Army postal competitions.

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