Hillsdale College Hosts USA Shooting Junior Olympic Rifle National Championship For Second Consecutive Year

Olympic hopefuls compete at Hillsdale College for spots on the U.S. Junior National Team

by
posted on May 16, 2022
** 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. **
2022May HC Usashooting 2
Emme Walrath was the top under-18 shooter in women's air rifle, also finishing fifth in the women's air rifle final.
Hillsdale College

At the 2022 USA Shooting Junior Olympic Rifle National Championship from May 11-15, Hillsdale College hosted more than 400 Junior Olympic rifle shooters at the Margot V. Biermann Athletic Center on its campus in Hillsdale, Michigan.

Shooters ages 12-20 competed in two shooting events, with top scorers earning spots on the USA Shooting Junior National Rifle team. The two events: 50-foot smallbore in the kneeling, prone and standing positions, along with 10-meter air rifle, this time only in standing position.

Hillsdale College
Junior Olympic rifle team hopefuls on the firing line competing for a chance to represent the United States internationally.

 

The championship is among the largest annual international-style competitions in the country for junior shooters (under-21), with some going on to represent the United States in World Cup, World Championship, Olympic and Paralympic events.

Several junior athletes with physical limitations competed in Paralympic categories, using special equipment to shoot modified versions of standing and prone air rifle matches.

In addition, junior competitors were housed on the Hillsdale College campus and were treated to tours.

Margot V. Biermann Athletic Center
Junior competitors in the packed Margot V. Biermann Athletic Center during the competition.

 

2022 USA Shooting Junior Olympic Rifle National Championship Leaderboard

Men’s Junior Olympic Smallbore Rifle

  1. Matt Sanchez 458.3
  2. Derek Keiser 456.4
  3. Rylan Kissell 447.0

Women’s Junior Olympic Smallbore Rifle

  1. Cecelia Ossi 454.7
  2. Lauren Hurley 454.2
  3. Natalie Perrin 443.5

Men’s Junior Olympic Air Rifle

  1. Scott Rockett 251.5
  2. Gavin Perkowski 248.7
  3. Rylan Kissell 225.0

Women’s Junior Olympic Air Rifle

  1. Kristen Derting 249.7
  2. Lauren Hurley 246.9
  3. Clarissa Layland 226.7

(Finals scores listed)

“Hillsdale College was proud to host the USA Shooting Junior Olympic Rifle National Championship for the second year in a row,” said Andrew Traciak, Hillsdale College rifle and pistol coach. “These athletes are the future of international rifle competition in the United States. Most are also prospective college students, and we hope to see many return to Hillsdale College in that capacity as both student-athletes in our rifle program and future leaders in their chosen academic fields of study.”

See the full results of the 2022 USA Shooting Junior Olympic Rifle National Championship here. Learn more about USA Shooting at usashooting.org. Find out more about Hillsdale College at hillsdale.edu.

Latest

Rem Wethepeopleammo 1
Rem Wethepeopleammo 1

Remington Marks America’s 250th Anniversary With ‘We The People’ Limited-Edition Ammo

Remington unveils a limited-edition ammunition series honoring America’s 250th anniversary, pairing familiar calibers with commemorative packaging.

Beretta’s 500th Anniversary: Five Centuries of Italian Craftsmanship

As Beretta marks 500 years, the Italian gunmaker looks back to its origins while revealing how centuries of craft inform what comes next.

How to Duplicate .357 Magnum Factory Ballistics with Handloads

Extensive testing shows which powders and charge weights allow .357 Mag. handloads to reach factory velocities without exceeding published pressure limits.

New: Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P 10 mm M2.0 Carry Comp

Smith & Wesson’s latest Performance Center pistol blends ported recoil control, optics compatibility and 10 mm power into a carry‑ready, shooter‑focused design.

Federal Unveils New All-American Target Loads Aimed at Trap and Skeet Shooters

Federal expands its All-American target loads for 2026, adding refined 12- and 20-gauge options aimed squarely at serious trap and skeet shooters.

Review: Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56 mm F1 Riflescope

An in-depth review of the Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56 mm F1, highlighting its rugged build, Mil-XT reticle, premium glass and performance in competition and long-range shooting.



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