6 Things You Didn't Know About the NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championships

by
posted on March 21, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
alana-townsend-finals.jpg
The 2017 NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championships commence this week at Ft. Benning in Columbus, GA. Here is a list of six things you may not have known about this match.

6) The first NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championship was held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1981. Brent Oydna of the U.S. Naval Academy was the first Free Pistol Champion, with the Naval Academy also winning the Free Pistol Team Championship. Timothy Westfall of the University of Virginia was the Standard Pistol Champion.

5) In 1987, Audrey Hayes of the University of Texas-Arlington became the first Women's Air Pistol Champion. The Championship was held that year at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. In 1993, Linda Biglow of the University of Virginia became the first Women's Sport Pistol Champion.

4) Several U.S. service academies have competed and won at the match. In 1986, the U.S. Military Academy became the first Open Team Champion. The following year, the U.S. Naval Academy matched the feat, and in 1994, the U.S. Air Force Academy won. The service academies would continue dominate the Open Team Championship until 2000, when the Ohio State University became the first to break their streak.

3) Since 2008, the NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championships have been held at Ft. Benning. The home of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, the military has provided invaluable support by allowing the use of world class ranges, conducting clinics and providing staff support for the Championships. Additionally, the NRA receives tremendous assistance from volunteers—many of whom are former collegiate competitive shooters themselves.

2) The Ohio State University has won three consecutive Open Team Championships since 2014. The Buckeyes are in the hunt for a fourth one this year, with several experienced seniors returning to compete for the last time at the match.

1) The NRA All-American Program recognizes collegians who have performed remarkable feats throughout the shooting season. During each year's Intercollegiate Pistol Championships awards ceremony, the Pistol All-Americans are announced. Each receives a brassard and certificate, and also a special plaque is given to the college, listing that school's All-Americans.

Learn more about NRA collegiate programs at this link: collegiate.nra.org.

Latest

Usashooting Issfgranada Airpistolmixedteam Apr2026 1
Usashooting Issfgranada Airpistolmixedteam Apr2026 1

Mowrer, Tobar Finish Fourth in ISSF World Cup Granada Air Pistol Mixed Team Final

Nick Mowrer and Nathalia Tobar place fourth in Granada as Team USA falls short in air pistol mixed team final dominated by record-setting India.

Swarovski Announces Next Generation CL Companion Binoculars

Swarovski Optik launches a new generation of its CL Companion travel binoculars with a wider field of view, longer eye relief and redesigned housing, available in 8x30 and 10x30 magnifications from $1,499.

MidwayUSA Announced as Official Sponsor for 2026 NRA Annual Meetings

MidwayUSA is the official sponsor of the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas, set for April 16-19.

A Sixth Title for Tubb and an End of an Era for Wigger: 1993 National Matches

The 1993 National Matches at Camp Perry saw David Tubb tie Mid Tompkins for most high power titles and Marines dominate the Board matches.

Preview: 2026 USA Shooting Rifle Junior Olympic Championships in Alabama

The 2026 USA Shooting Rifle Junior Olympic Championships kick off this week in Alabama with athletes competing in both smallbore (50m) and air rifle (10m) events.

New: Springfield Armory SA-35 4" Model

Springfield Armory’s SA-35 4" pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger offers all the benefits of the original SA-35, plus a shorter, more compact barrel. 

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.