Looking Back At The 2016 NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championship

From the vault: Our match report from the 2016 NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championship, when the Ohio State University outpaced the competition with a commanding 106-point lead over second-place United States Military Academy. As published in the May 2016 issue of Shooting Sports USA.

RESULTS: 2016 NRA INTERCOLLEGIATE PISTOL CHAMPIONSHIP

Triumphing over a field of 11 schools, the Ohio State University (OSU) Pistol Team won its third consecutive title at the 2016 NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championship, held at Fort Benning, Georgia, from March 13-17. Ohio State’s score was a full 106 points over the next highest team—the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA), who finished as the runner-up after posting a score of 6188. Rounding out the top three teams was the Citadel with a score of 6187.

 

The overall Individual Aggregate winner (match winner) was Jeffrey Schanz of the USMA, with a score of 1604. In second place, was Alana Townsend of North Dakota State University (NDSU), with a score of 1597, while David Wilkinson of the Citadel placed third after posting a score of 1593.

In addition, MIT won the Women’s Aggregate title for the third year in a row, sweeping gold in both women’s events. Jackie Wu was the 2016 Standard Pistol National Champion, as well as third place in Women’s Sport Pistol and third place in the Women’s overall aggregate. Her MIT pistol teammate, William Wong won the Men’s Air Pistol Championship with a score of 365, beating fellow MIT shooter Nicholas Fine by a single point. And on the Women’s Air Pistol Individual Championship leaderboard, Julie Kim placed third with a score of 465.9.

The MIT team of Julie Kim, Jackie Wu and Sonia Zhang won the Women’s Air Pistol Team Championship with a score of 1097. Wu and Zhang, along with teammate Rebekah Cha secured the Women’s Sport Pistol Team Championship for MIT with 1637. Finally, with a score of 2734, MIT won the Women’s Team Championship Aggregate.

 

Irina Andrianova of Ohio State University won the Women’s Aggregate and Women’s Sport Pistol Championships. Her OSU teammate Anthony McCollum placed second in Men’s Sport Pistol, only eight points behind the leader, Brian Kim of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA). North Dakota State standout Alana Townsend was a force to be reckoned with at the 2016 NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championship, winning both the Free Pistol and Air Pistol titles.

When I asked Townsend about this year’s match, which is her last, she told me, “I started shooting pistol when I was 12, and have competed here for the last four years. I will always cherish the memories I have made here, and will always be grateful for the support of my coaches and teammates.”

 

Townsend’s NDSU teammate Caitlyn Fleahman also competed at the 2016 NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championship. “I have been shooting competitively for 10 years, and have been shooting this match for three years. My family has been extremely supportive of my competitive shooting career.”

Fleahman and Townsend both started shooting through the 4-H program. The duo stayed at Fort Benning after the match, so they could shoot the 2016 NRA Intercollegiate Rifle Club Championship for the first time. “It’s going to be a new experience, and I’m really excited about that,” Townsend said.

The awards ceremony was held at the Ironworks, located on the historic Columbus, Georgia, waterfront. Competitors, coaches, parents and match staff were treated to an excellent dinner before the festivities began. A highlight of the evening was special guest speaker Dr. Raymond Prior, PhD. He works with athletes, teams and coaches from the Olympic level to youth sports.

 

Prior’s firm commitment to growing the shooting sports was evident in his speech. He spoke of several athletes from other sports such as soccer and the martial arts, who had to challenge themselves to become the best. The key idea he wanted all the student-athletes to return home with was: “Don’t waste your time with the distractions that modern life provides, instead challenge yourself to become the best in competition.” Prior received a standing ovation for his inspirational presentation.

For the past three years the NRA has presented the “Bill Wayda Spirit of the Sport” award, given annually to individuals representing the positive spirit of collegiate shooting sports.

For 20 years, Bill Wayda has unselfishly given his time and talent to support the NRA and the Intercollegiate Championships. National Manager of NRA Collegiate Programs, Victoria Croft said, “Without Bill’s leadership, dedication and compassion, this event would not be what it is today.” A plaque, as well as a brick of Eley ammunition was presented to this year’s recipient, Payton Duvall-Freymuller of Texas A&M University. Payton’s dedication and passion for shooting are second to none.

Not only that, North Dakota State University Coach Eric Pueppke was honored with the 2016 NRA Distinguished Pistol Coach of the Year award. Pueppke’s list of accomplishments is extensive. He is an assistant national coach on the USA Shooting pistol team, as well as a level-four advanced international pistol coach.

NRA national championships are always supported by a dedicated crew of independent contractors and volunteers that help things run smoothly, performing important staff roles such as Range Safety Officer and Referee. The NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championship is no exception, and during the awards ceremony, Croft thanked all of the match staff for their hard work.

“A huge thank you goes out to all of the wonderful championship staff that helped us this year. Without you, championships like this would not be as successful as they are. I look forward to seeing all of you again next year,” she said.

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) hosted the championship for the ninth consecutive year in 2016, providing the Pool Complex and Phillips Range at Fort Benning, as well as logistical support. A big thank you to the AMU for the generosity extended to the NRA. The AMU Commander Lt. Col. Bret Tecklenburg and Command Sgt. Major Isaac Ragusa were a familiar presence during each match.

2016 NRA INTERCOLLEGIATE PISTOL CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD

Overall Team Aggregate

1. Ohio State, 6294
2. USMA, 6188
3. Citadel, 6187

Women’s Team Aggregate

1. MIT, 2734
2. TAMU, 2684
3. NDSU, 2663

Overall Individual Aggregate

1. Jeffrey Schanz, USMA, 1604
2. Alana Townsend, NDSU, 1597
3. David Wilkinson, Citadel, 1593

Women’s Individual Aggregate

1. Irina Andrianova, OSU, 932
2. Helen Oh, USCGA, 923
3. Jackie Wu, MIT, 919

Free Pistol

1. Alana Townsend, NDSU, 618.50
2. Travis Moody, USMA, 600.10
3. Jeffrey Schanz, USMA, 598.30

Open Air Pistol

1. Alana Townsend, NDSU, 661.00
2. Helen Oh, USCGA, 657.90
3. Anthony McCollum, OSU, 655.50

Standard Pistol

1. Anthony McCollum, OSU, 549
2. Jackie Wu, MIT, 547
3. Bryce Tucker, Akron, 538