Caitlin Morrissey on the NRA National Championships

Notes From Caitlin Morrissey on NRA National Championships and More..

Kansas –-(AmmoLand.com)-Wow! What a summer it has been! In June, I competed in the USA Shooting National Championships, held annually at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. After a solid smallbore shooting match, I walked away from the Women’s Prone Championship as the Junior Women’s Prone Champion. I also finished as 3rd Junior in the 3-Position Women’s Championship.

Then, in July, Dad and I traveled to the NRA National Championships, held annually at Camp Perry near Port Clinton, Ohio. One of the many traditions at Perry is the tricky weather. During the 3-Position phase, it rained and was rather windy. Although this posed a challenge for the competitors, the match still went on without delay.

After the first day of competition, which was shot with metallic sights only, I was on top of the junior and women categories. The weather for day two was better, but still tricky for the any sights match. I hung in there and fired a solid score, keeping me near the top of the leader boards. The final results were posted and there was my name, at the top of the junior category for the entire 3-Position championship.

The next morning was the firing of the team matches. Because I was not there with a team, I slept in a little bit, then got up and ready and went to play “cheerleader” for my buddies on the United States Army Marksmanship Unit Team. That evening was the awards ceremony. We got all dressed up and walked over to the post auditorium.

Not long after the start of the ceremony, and the presentation of team awards, the lights went out. After a bit of scurrying around and flashlight searching for the problem, the executive decision was made to open the doors and carry on. So, the side doors were opened and the audience was lit up, even though the stage was still dark. During that ceremony, I was called to stage to receive numerous awards, to include Junior Champion for 3-Position Smallbore Rifle. I was also awarded a Walther KK300, presented to me on stage by Charles Pearson, President of Champion’s Choice, and Hichem Hanafi, Export Manager for Walther.

The next morning, the prone phase began with the metallic sight championship. Although the sky looked like it could pour rain on us any minute, it held off. The wind was tricky at times, but manageable. I held in there with decent scores, enough that is to qualify for the Randle Team Match.

The Randle Match is an International Team Match that members must qualify for during the metallic sight championship at Camp Perry. The top ten ladies, plus two alternates are selected for the team. Firing happens at 7:00 am the morning of the team matches during the prone phase.

Following prone team day, was the any sight championship. The weather was very favorable and almost perfect for shooting on the first day. I fired a 1200/1200, my first time ever shooting a perfect score in an outdoor prone match. I guess if there is a good time to do it, Camp Perry is the time and place. The weather got a little more tricky the second day, but I fired a solid score, enough once again to hang in there.

Although I didn’t win any overall prone championships, I didn’t end up too shabby. I won my Expert-Junior class/category and I still got to go onstage to receive my bracelet and charm for making the Randle Team.

Overall, Camp Perry was very successful this year and therefore was a lot of fun. It’s always MORE fun to shoot, when you are shooting well!

As most everyone knows, I will be attending Texas Christian University this fall and will be competing for TCU on their Women’s Rifle Team. Although I will be busy at school, I hope to get the chance to continue writing to the shooting publications in Kansas to keep everyone back at home updated. And to answer everyone’s first question about TCU, yes, we are the Horned Frogs and proud of it!

Start making your plans for Camp Perry and USASNC 2010 now! I hope to see you all when I am home and visit the range, but until then, keep shooting!

GO FROGS!

About:
The Kansas State Rifle Association has one purpose. To promote and strive for the improvement and protection of the firearms and sport shooting industry and protection of second amendment principals by encouraging and stimulating well-qualified individual citizens to run for public office and to take a more active and effective part in governmental affairs.