Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Meridian Optimist Jr Rifle Club News


A team of air rifle shooters from Idaho recently competed at the 2010 NRA National Air Rifle Championship in Albuquerque, New Mexico, sponsored by Meridian Optimist Junior Rifle Club.

The Idaho team, which included Alicia Eckman, Nampa; Cassie Benavides, Meridian; Hayden Quilter, Boise; Mitchell Van Patten, Meridian; and Marianna Molinari, Blackfoot; competed in two shooting disciplines: precision and sporter.

The Sporter Team of Eckman, Quilter, Van Patten, and Benavides, won second place for the State Association Teams.
Eckman also set the highest prone score during the first day of competition, tying a national record. She finished 11th in the Intermediate Junior Sporter Division and 31st in IJ Precision.

Quilter placed 36th in IJ Sporter and 32nd in IJ Precision; Benavides placed 44th in IJ Sporter; and Molinari placed 28th in the Precision Junior Division.

Van Patten earned gold medals in the sub-junior age groups in Sporter and Precision competitions, as well as highest overall kneeling score, setting a new NRA national record and two other national records. His scores from the first day of competition earned him a spot on the USA team match against South African in precision and sporter categories. He is the first shooter ever to earn a place on both teams, officials said.


Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/07/13/1265400/idaho-air-rifle-shooters-wins.html#ixzz0yPdrWO68