Pistol Club Competes in National Championship for VMI
The pistol club at 麻豆女演员 Institute competed in the National Collegiate Pistol Championship held at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) Army post near Columbus, Georgia, in late March. The VMI contingent consisted of a team of four shooters: Parker Hall 鈥24, Chris Olsen 鈥25, Jacob Cook 鈥26 and Kate Patrick 鈥27, with Jamie Palacio 鈥27 competing as an individual. The club held a national rank of 11th鈥痯lace going into the competition.
Fifteen schools were represented at the championship, with 89 shooters competing, made up of 69 men and 20 women. The competition consisted of 60 shots fired in three different shooting disciplines: air pistol, sport pistol, and standard pistol, for a total of 180 shots fired. VMI came in 10th place for air pistol, 8th place for sport pistol, and 10th place for standard pistol. The team finished the competition in 10th place, improving their national ranking.鈥
The Ohio State University was first place winner, followed by the U.S. Naval Academy in second, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in third.
Patrick, a psychology major from Vinton, Virginia, tried out for the team thinking she wasn鈥檛 going to do well, but that she would have fun. 鈥淚t was a good escape for me from the Rat Line, but now I am in absolute love with it. I have been able to improve my shooting scores, and have made some really good friends. I鈥檓 excited to see what I will accomplish next year.鈥濃
Olsen, a biology major from Mechanicsville, Virginia, said he has also formed friendships with team members. 鈥淭he club is small, which has allowed me to get really close to the team. I feel as though they are my second family at VMI.鈥
Additional club members who did not compete in the championship include Bill Davidson 鈥24, Alexandria Holt 鈥24, William Gray 鈥27, Chase Boucher 鈥27, and Da Ke 鈥27. The team is led by head coach, Reese McCormick, and assistant coach, Norman Claytor, with special assistance by Paul Lahah.
