Colorado –-(Ammoland.com)- Excitement builds for the American Legion as they are about to conduct their 26th Annual Junior 3-Position Air Rifle National Championships at USA Shooting’s Range in Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 19-23.
The American Legion has supported youth sports programs for decades, especially their strong shooting sports programs that emphasize firearm safety and marksmanship. Similarly to USA Shooting’s junior Olympic programs, the American Legion is able to encourage young men and ladies of all skill levels to enjoy and participate in the shooting sports, including those with disabilities, saying that “competitive shooting is a sport that creates an equal playing field for all competitors.
Rio-bound Olympian Daniel Lowe (Olympia, Washington) owes much to the opportunity American Legion provided him as a junior shooter. “The American legion puts on an awesome match,” he said. It is high stakes, high profile, and high pressure competition. It was a great experience and it is not a coincidence that the champions from that match usually continue on to make the podium at other national matches.” He was the 2011 National Champion. 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jamie Corkish earned that same title 10 years before her golden run in London. Her 2012 teammate Jonathan Hall did as well in 2005.
This year’s nationals will consist of 15 precision shooters and 15 sporter shooters all vying for one of the $5,000 scholarship prizes provided by American Legion ($2,500) and Sons of the American Legion ($2500). The National Champions of each category will also be receiving an all-expense trip for themselves and their chaperones to Cincinnati, Ohio August 26-30 to be honored at the 2016 American Legion National Convention as part of the American Legion Youth Champions delegation. One shooter to watch will be Sarah Osborn (Hampton, Virginia), who just won 2016 National Three-Position Air Rifle Championships and re-solidified her placement on the USA Shooting’s National Junior Team.
Youth shooting programs like American Legion, and many others around the country, are what provide USA Shooting with exceptional talent and shooters who strive for excellence. It is sure to be displayed by these athletes and future Olympians throughout the week.
More information regarding the National Championships, including the schedule can be found on their website linked here.