RAPID CITY, S.D. – Youth from across the state gathered at the South Dakota National Guard’s indoor shooting range in the Duke Corning Armory to participate in the state qualifier match and the 2013 South Dakota Junior Olympics Course, Jan. 18 to 20.
Eighteen youth, between the ages of 12 and 20, competed in the three day event sponsored by the South Dakota National Guard and the Rapid City Rifle Club.
“The National Guard supports the program through the use of facilities and equipment, also many of our coaches are members of the Guard,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 BJ McGuire, shooting coach and president of the Rapid City Rifle Club. “We have had about seven members of the marksmanship team join the military through their participation in the program.”
The Junior Olympic Course provides its participants with an opportunity to qualify for an invitation to attend the 2013 National Junior Olympics held in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the Olympic Training Center, April 2 to 20, 2013.
The Junior Olympic Course consists of two matches; a three-position international style, in which competitors shoot small-caliber rifles while standing, kneeling and lying prone, as well as a standing air rifle match. Each shooter fires at least 160 scored shots throughout the two matches.
Awards were presented during the match to four participants who won a national title in the 2012
Sub-Junior Sectional Match.
The team consisted of Kaycee Szymanski, 13, Sturgis; Raymond Johnson, 14, Box Elder; Kelby Schneider, 12 Sommerset, and Rylie Schull, 13, Rapid City.
“My goal is to make the Junior Olympics,” said Szymanski.
Other members of the team are also going forward with their shooting. Corwin Coldman, 18, of Montrose will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy as a member of their shooting team.