WVU's Will Anti Is The New U.S. Paralympic Shooting Coach

After he graduates this May with a double major in finance and accounting, West Virginia University rifle team shooter Will Anti already has a job lined up—the new USA Shooting Paralympic team coach and manager. Anti begins his new job on June 1.

The 22-year-old Anti's resume is impressive: previous National Junior Team member, Junior Olympic and NCAA champion and team captain for the WVU rifle team. His presence alone will surely educate and inspire. And coaching, as well as shooting is in his blood. His dad, Mike Anti is a four-time Olympic competitive shooter, winning a 3-P rifle silver medal at the 2004 Olympics, and currently serves as the head coach for the Naval Academy rifle team.

According to a USA Shooting press release, Anti's joins Team USA "at a critical juncture for the Paralympic shooting disciplines with 14 months to go until the 2020 Paralympic Games ... Athletes are busy trying to secure Paralympic quota spots needed to compete in Tokyo next summer."

Anti's responsibilities include long-range development and planning, as well as execution of all Paralympic shooting programs. This is kind of a split role, as not only will he be involved in the technical aspects of Paralympic shooting, but also mental and physical training.

"I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity to positively impact the Paralympic program at USA Shooting," says Anti. "I have immense respect for these athletes and look forward to being a part of their journey toward the Paralympics and beyond. I am thankful to be a part of an organization that is providing so many life-changing opportunities in a sport that I have loved for many years, a sport that has been so good to myself and my family."

Lead photo courtesy of Brian Persinger/WVU Athletic Communications