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

NRA ARC Barricade Video 2
NRA ARC Barricade Video 2

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge: Kyle Lamb’s Position-by-Position Guide to the ARC Barricade

Kyle Lamb covers six positions on the NRA ARC barricade with practical tips on stability, transitions and rifle placement.

Collegiate Rifle: Akron Closes Season with Record Performance at GARC Championship

Akron set a school smallbore record of 2346 and finished fifth at the 2026 GARC Championship at West Point, just one point behind Army.

Cameron Hicks Takes FITASC and EZGO Shootout Titles at 2026 Seminole Cup

Cameron Hicks wins FITASC HOA over 205 shooters at the 2026 Seminole Cup, matching his father’s FITASC victory from 2003.

Rhode Island Wins Inaugural National Intercollegiate Rifle League Title

Rhode Island wins inaugural Scopos Intercollegiate Rifle League team title while Georgia Military College’s MacKenzie Sookhoo sweeps all eight individual competitions.

USPSA Managing Director Reflects on Record-Setting 2025, Outlines Vision for 2026

USPSA Managing Director Alan Turner recaps a record-breaking 2025—including all-time highs in membership, participation and Nationals attendance—and highlights 2026 initiatives.

New: Real Avid Master Maintenance Collection for Glock

Real Avid bundles 13 Glock-specific tools and cleaning supplies into one comprehensive kit covering sight installation, trigger work, maintenance and cleaning.



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