GMC News

GMC Rifle Captures Third Straight NRA Intercollegiate National Title

FORT BENNING, Ga. – The Georgia Military College rifle team brought home its third straight National Rifle Association (NRA) Intercollegiate Air Rifle Championship in the ROTC division this past weekend.

The Bulldogs captured the title on Sunday with an aggregate score of 2,145 points (out of 2,400) and outshot the Illinois State University ROTC team, which finished second with a score of 2,031.

Leading the way for GMC’s ROTC team in the air rifle competition were Cadet Keila Outen (Cumming, Ga.) with a score of 556 points (out of 600), Cadet Tyler Willingham (Rochelle, Ga.) with a 553, Cadet Drae Robinson (Merritt Island, Fla.) with a 526 and Cadet Samantha McLeod  (Milledgeville, Ga.) with a 510.

The GMC ROTC team, along with coaches Mary Ellen Eaton and LTC (Ret.) Duane Clayton, received the championship trophy during the NRA awards banquet at the Iron Works Convention Center in Columbus.

“They came together as a team,” GMC head coach and range coordinator Mary Ellen Eaton said. “I told them – remember, if you shoot a 9 and come up with at least a 90, then six rounds would get them a 540 score. So they just have to concentrate and focus on hitting that target.  They strive for excellence as a team."

GMC also competed in the smallbore competition for the first time in eight years and came away with individual gold and silver medals.

Cadet Tyler Willingham (Rochelle, Ga.) won the gold medal with a score of 532 points (out of 600) while Outen took home the silver medal with a score of 530.

Other competitors from GMC in the individual smallbore category included Faith Price (McIntyre, Ga.) with a score of 516 and Tucker Easter (Milledgeville, Ga.) with a 503.

Meanwhile, Cadet Khalil Morrell (Griffin, Ga.) had a 554 and Cadet Destin Owens (Woodbury, Ga.) had a 531 in the individual air rifle category.

“We had at least 15 family members show up to support us,” Eaton said. “That meant a lot to us and I actually think our shooters did better when they had an audience to shoot in front of.  They worked together as a team and they were representing GMC as a two-year school against all these four-year schools.”

The GMC team was also involved in a clinic on Saturday, in which the United States Army Marksmanship Unit discussed shooting in the Olympic Games, World Cup competitions and the general aspects of shooting internationally.

Discussions also featured topics on nutrition and exercise routines, practice routines, setting goals, keeping a journal, and adjusting to shooting in outdoor climates.

Attached are two photos taken during the weekend, including:

Photo 1:  GMC Rifle Team and Coaches at 2015 NRA Intercollegiate Championships (L-R:  Coach and Range Coordinator Mary Ellen Eaton, Cadet Khalil Morrell, Cadet Samantha McLeod, Cadet Destin Owens, Cadet Keila Outen, Mr. Tucker Easter, Cadet Drae Robinson, Cadet Tyler Willingham and LTC (Ret) and Coach Duane Clayton.  Not pictured: Miss Faith Price.)
Photo 2:  GMC ROTC Championship Rifle Team and Coaches (L-R:  Coach and Range Coordinator Mary Ellen Eaton, Cadet Drae Robinson, Cadet Keila Outen, Cadet Samantha McLeod, Cadet Tyler Willingham and LTC (Ret) and Coach Duane Clayton.)

Photos also posted on Twitter (@GMCBULLDOGS) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/gmcathletics).

-GMC-
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