Amid the storied traditions of British smallbore shooting, a powerful new chapter began at Bisley Range in August as Team USA’s Sarah Beard claimed a commanding victory in the first-ever Brock D. Comer Memorial Match. Her top aggregate score of 790 not only secured her place atop the leaderboard, but also set a bold precedent for a smallbore rifle marksmanship competition rooted in remembrance.
The new event debuted as part of the 2025 British Smallbore Rifle Championships, hosted by the UK’s National Small-Bore Rifle Association (NSRA). It honors Sgt. Brock D. Comer, a US Army National Guardsman remembered for his service, character and drive to uplift those around him.
The Brock D. Comer Memorial Match was created to offer international shooters—specifically those from outside the UK and Commonwealth nations—a chance to compete at the highest level at Bisley. It runs concurrently with Stage 1 of the prestigious Earl Roberts Championship, the British National Smallbore Rifle Championship.
The match structure features two initial stages, with 20 prone shots at 50 meters and 20 prone shots at 100 yards.
The top 10 competitors from this qualifier advance to a final round, repeating both distances under the same championship-level conditions.
Sarah Beard delivered a stellar performance across both distances. With back-to-back 198s at 50 meters and follow-up scores of 198 and 196 at 100 yards, she built an aggregate score of 790—13 points clear of the field.
2025 Brock D. Comer Memorial Leaderboard
- Sarah Beard, 790
- Nick Mowrer, 787
- Mark Del Cotto, 781
- Deena Wigger McDorman, 780
- Virginia McLemore, 775
- Joe Graf, 773
- Howard Pitts, 772
- Michael Carter, 770
- Kerry Spurgin, 769
- Celeste Green Leinberger, 765
Team USA delivered a strong showing across the board. Notably, Nick Mowrer finished second with a 787, while Mark Del Cotto took third place with a score of 781.
Each competitor brought immense talent, but it was Beard’s calm, clinical execution that separated her from the field—capturing the spirit of the competition’s namesake.
A Tribute to a Life of Service
The Brock D. Comer Memorial Match is more than just a contest—it’s a living tribute to a man whose life was defined by service and heart.
Sgt. Comer served in the Ohio Army National Guard as a Fire Direction Center Chief, responsible for the precise coordination of artillery fire. Off the field, he was known for his warmth and positivity—serenading loved ones with Disney songs, preparing healthy meals and encouraging others to reach their best.
“Brock believed the strongest thing a person could have was the power of their own will,” said his sister, Abigail Shockey. “He always strived to be better. Once he set goals, he achieved them, and he encouraged others to do the same.”
The idea for the match was born from a friendship between NSRA’s Eleanor Shorey and Shockey. Together, with the support of the NSRA, they ensured that Sgt. Comer’s values would endure in the world of international smallbore competition.
Like the sport he now posthumously inspires, Brock Comer embodied precision, discipline and compassion—qualities now etched into the DNA of this event.
About the NSRA
The National Small-Bore Rifle Association is the UK’s governing body for smallbore target shooting and organizer of the largest non-ISSF smallbore championship in Europe. With more than a century of history behind it, the NSRA continues to foster international friendship through events like the Brock D. Comer Memorial Match.
Learn more at nsra.co.uk.
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