A Competitor’s Story: Barbara Schläpfer

by
posted on August 1, 2019
** 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. **
barb-iwa-1.jpg

Barbara Schläpfer, the NRA All-American shooter formerly with the Murray State Racers rifle team, was named the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Rifle Athlete of the Year, and set a school air rifle record (599) at the 2018 Buckeye Open.

What’s more, last season her average air rifle score set a new single-season record (594.3), and her smallbore average was 587.

As a member of the Murray State rifle team, Schläpfer helped the team qualify for the NCAA championship each of her four years of eligibility. At the 2019 NCAA rifle championship on the campus of West Virginia University this past March, Schläpfer and her fellow Racers brought home a fourth-place finish, with a combined team score of 4677-268X. Murray State last won the championship in 1987.

A native of Gais, Switzerland, Schläpfer’s recently competed at the 2019 IWK competition in Germany. This is one of her first after graduating from Murray State this past May with a degree in engineering physics. Schläpfer competes for her home country of Switzerland.

“The first day, I really struggled with the wind conditions during prone,” says Schläpfer, adding, “Air rifle during the second day was okay, but not really what I can do. The temperature was ridiculous, but the match itself went really well. I am happy with my 418.3 score.”

For smallbore rifle, Schläpfer uses a Bleiker with Lapua Center X ammunition. For air gun, she uses a Feinwerkbau with RWS pellets.


See more: TCU Wins 2019 NCAA Rifle Championship

Latest

Akron Nov12 2026 Lede1
Akron Nov12 2026 Lede1

Collegiate Rifle: Akron Turns Up the Heat in Fairbanks

Akron sets two school records in Alaska as the red-hot Zips climb to No. 9.

Peterson Crushes DMR Field, Wins 2026 Gas Gun Show Series Finale

Scott Peterson won the overall and DMR titles at the Gas Gun Show Series Finale in Oklahoma while Kalani Laker took Recce.

Collegiate Rifle: VMI Shatters Six Program Records in Win Over John Jay

VMI broke six program records against John Jay, led by a 4623-233X mixed aggregate and Darian Tweedell’s school-record 593-41X in air rifle.

Geoff Bushelle Wins Third Illinois F-Class State Championship

Geoff Bushelle fired a score of 1000-79X to win F-Open and Mike Catena topped F-T/R at the 2026 Illinois F-Class State Championship.

New: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC Comp 9 mm

Springfield Armory’s new Echelon 4.0FC Comp 9 mm handgun combines a full-size grip, compact slide and integral compensator.

Familiar Faces, Fresh Records: 2001 National Matches

The 2001 National Matches saw Brian Zins continue his pistol dominance, David Tubb win a record ninth high power title and Gallagher earn a third long-range crown.



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