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

MAC Assacollegiate 2026 2
MAC Assacollegiate 2026 2

MAC Athletes Shine at 2026 ASSA Intercollegiate Nationals

Coast Guard Bears earn team bronze in smallbore, aggregate; Rhode Island’s Sophia Wood ranks third at 2026 ASSA Intercollegiate Rifle Club Nationals.

15 Great Photos From the 2026 NCAA Rifle Championship

A look at 15 of the best photos from the 2026 NCAA Rifle Championship at Ohio State, where WVU claimed its 21st title and both individual finals came down to the wire.

Savage Adds Rimfire Options To Model 110 Lineup

Savage Arms chambers the Model 110 action in .22 LR for the first time with three rifles that share stocks, triggers and accessories with the centerfire 110 short-action platform.

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge: Kyle Lamb on the Practical Benefits of Competition

Kyle Lamb explains why competition is the best test of gear and skill, then demonstrates a strong-to-support-side rifle transition on the ARC barricade.

Real Avid Bundles The AR Workbench Into One Box With New Master Collections

Real Avid launches bundled AR-15 and AR-10 Master Collection toolkits that scale from cleaning basics to full armorer setups, with prices ranging from $519 to $2,542.

Ole Miss Wins First NCAA Smallbore Rifle Team Title

Ole Miss rifle wins first NCAA smallbore title at 2026 NCAA rifle championship at Ohio State’s Covelli Center on Friday, March 13.

Interests



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