In just her first time tackling a full 6400-point CMP Prone Aggregate match, Katie Zaun proved why she’s one of the most promising rifle shooters in the country.
The 22-year-old from Buffalo, North Dakota—who competes for Texas Christian University’s rifle team—walked away from Camp Perry with the overall victory after a week of challenging, wind-filled outdoor shooting.
“Honestly, I wasn’t even expecting to win,” Zaun said. “I had only shot a match like this one other time before. When I came here, I thought it was 60 shots a day—like 60 shots, and I’m done. I didn’t know it was 6400 points. But I just had fun with it. I came in here wanting to learn instead of wanting to win … winning is just a bonus.”
Zaun’s journey into the match wasn’t initially planned. After entering earlier three-position and air rifle events, she decided to stay the extra week to get more reps in prone shooting.
And it paid off.
She used the opportunity to refine her ability to shoot in unpredictable wind—a condition rarely, if ever, faced during NCAA rifle competition.
“You can only be better at the wind by shooting in it, and shooting it for four days straight is the perfect opportunity to get better at it,” she said. “That’s the only way you can be successful. Getting uncomfortable in unfamiliar conditions.”
Zaun, a USA Shooting National Team member and Paris 2024 Olympic alternate, began her shooting career in BB Gun at age seven before evolving into a smallbore and air rifle athlete. Her decorated career includes breaking a national record in 3x20 plus final and helping lead TCU to an NCAA championship title in 2024.
“Every single World Cup, every single World Championship is outside, and there’s always wind … so having another opportunity to shoot outside, in the wind—it’s the number one priority for me.”
Zaun wasn’t just shooting solo. She exchanged insight with rifle legends including members of the Wigger family: Dan, Ron and Capt. Deena Wigger McDorman—children of Lones Wigger—and Mark Del Cotto, who narrowly edged her in one event before she returned the favor in the full 6400.
“Every time I shoot out here is beneficial to me,” she said. “I can already tell I’ve gained so much more confidence in myself. With how breezy it is, it’s not always fun, but it’s worth it.”
More top finishes include the following:
- F-Class Champion: Samuel Pagliari, 71, of Oil City, Pa. (6360-460X)
- High Junior: Corbin Jockers, 20, of Elizabethtown, Pa. (6377-468X)
- Team Champions: Rochester Rifle Club (1595-105X)
Full results are available here. Learn more about CMP at thecmp.org.
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