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

2026 NRASBR 3 P Results Lede
2026 NRASBR 3 P Results Lede

Erin Gestl Erases Four-Point Deficit to Win NRA Smallbore Three-Position Championship

Erin Gestl overturns a four-point deficit on any sight day to win the 2026 NRA National Smallbore Three-Position Championship with 2360-137X.

USPSA Executive Director Alan Turner on Building for the Future

USPSA Executive Director Alan Turner, II, details new bylaws, a CTO promotion and a formal Nationals selection process supporting record growth.

Dewar International Match: A Rivalry Fought by Mail for 100 Years

A 1952 photo highlights that year’s Dewar Team, a U.S.-Britain smallbore rivalry fought entirely by mail since 1909 and still contested today.

Team Winchester/White Flyer’s DeMichiel Wins FITASC Title at NSCA North Central Regional

Kevin DeMichiel took the FITASC title and finished runner-up in both the Main Event and Five-Stand at the 2026 NSCA North Central Regional.

Palmyra Duo Takes High Junior Title and a Pair of Ruger 10/22s at NRA Smallbore 3-Position Nationals

Rain, wind and razor-thin margins mark team day at the 2026 NRA Smallbore 3-P Nationals.

Walton County Sweeps 2026 Daisy BB Gun Nationals

Violet Combs tops an all-girl podium and Walton County posts a perfect team test score to sweep the 59th Daisy BB Gun Nationals.

Interests



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