USA Shooting Appoints New Director Of High Performance

Krista Austin takes on the role of high performance director this month, after USA Shooting bids farewell to outgoing director Alex Szablewski.

by
at USA Shooting posted on July 5, 2023
** 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. **
Krista Austin Teamusa 1
As USA Shooting's new High Performance Director, Krista Austin will helm sport science support and procedural requirements for both the Olympic and Paralympic teams.
USA Shooting

This month, USA Shooting will bid farewell to outgoing High Performance Director Alex Szablewski, and welcomes Krista Austin to the senior management team.

Szablewski has worked with USA Shooting since 2015 when he started out as the events manager. While in that role, Szablewski organized, instructed and directed all competitions, ranging from Olympic trials and World Cups to National Championships. In 2018, he assumed the position of senior manager of high performance, where he managed many responsibilities to include selection procedures, athlete and coach compliance, along with creating high performance plans.

Next, Szablewski will start a new position with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee as associate director of sports medicine and clinic operations.

Austin will be assuming the role of high performance director on Thursday, July 6. Austin brings many years of expertise and experience in Olympic and Paralympic sports performance to USA Shooting. Previously, she worked with USA Team Handball as their high performance director, and with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee as a manager for the Athlete Performance Labs. Austin has a doctorate in movement science, building an impressive career in the athletics and nutrition fields. She is an Atlanta, Georgia, native and was most recently a physiologist with Performance and Nutrition Coaching. In that role, she managed sport science and medicine support for Olympic, Paralympic and professional athletes.

“I am genuinely excited to join USA Shooting and look forward to adding value to a national governing body that is working diligently to provide the best support possible to its constituents,” Austin said. “I am passionate about preparing our elite athletes on their Path to Paris and am eager to take on the responsibilities that will propel our team toward success.”

As the High Performance Director, Austin will be in charge of daily planning and execution of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee assets, including Sport Science Support, USOPC Funding, and procedural requirements for both the Olympic and Paralympic teams.

“As the Senior Manager of High Performance, Alex played a pivotal role in the historic achievements of the Tokyo Olympics Games that saw USA Shooting earn a total of six medals,” Craig Kozeniesky, USA Shooting's chief executive officer, said. “We wish Alex the very best in his new role and look forward to working with him in the future. Krista is uniquely qualified for the role, and we are privileged to welcome a sports performance professional of her caliber to the team. Krista joins us at a critical time with a little over a year to go until the Paris 2024 Games. USA Shooting will benefit greatly from her contributions to our team.”

Learn more about USA Shooting at usashooting.org.

Latest

Rem Wethepeople America250 Jun2026 1
Rem Wethepeople America250 Jun2026 1

Remington We the People 250th Anniversary Ammo Ships to Retailers

Remington’s We the People 250th Anniversary ammunition is now shipping nationwide, a 2026-only commemorative run across rifle, handgun, rimfire and shotshell loads.

Kansas and Texas Headline Team Titles at 2026 4-H Shooting Sports Nationals

Kansas and Texas each claimed two team titles at the 2026 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, which drew nearly 700 competitors to Nebraska.

XS Sights Adds Pre-Drilled Fiber Optic Sights for Smith & Wesson Revolvers

XS Sights now offers pre-drilled fiber optic sights for Smith & Wesson J-, K- and L-frame revolvers, installable without custom gunsmithing.

NRA Youth Ambassador Jackson Schmidt’s Bianchi Cup Experience

NRA Youth Ambassador Jackson Schmidt shares his first Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament, where he won Junior Rimfire division and placed third in Junior Centerfire.

Review: Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP

A review of the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm optic, a first focal plane LPVO built for multigun and IPSC Rifle competition.

Remington Performance Wheelgun 22 Rimfire Built for Classic Revolvers

Remington’s Performance Wheelgun 22 rimfire load is shipping nationwide, a 39-grain subsonic .22 LR cartridge built for classic revolvers and plinking.

Interests



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