The award-winning Daleville High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp Rifle Team competed in the Army Marksmanship Unit 2016 National Championships in Fort Benning, Ga Jan. 28-31. The cadets brought home the Bronze Medal after an intense shooting competition with eight other teams from six states. The Warhawks were the only team from Alabama.
Senior Army Instructor retired Lt. Col. Chris Miller said Cadet Maj. Gabriel Hood—a senior and Rifle Team captain—and Cadet Capt. Jonah Nabinger—also a senior, shot “like champions” and there was “no surprise there.”
Hood and Nabinger participated in “an intense 10-shot series to determine the 2016 U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Air Rifle Champion (individual). Nabinger took second,” said Miller. “Nabinger ended up second (behind first place by only half a point) while Hood ended up in seventh place. Scores were tight with Hood’s final coming in at 1168.8 as opposed to Nabinger’s 1175. The winner won by only 25.4 points. “(It was) an excellent performance given the level of competitors at this unique event,” said Miller.
The Georgia Youth Shooting Sports Foundation will be depositing $400 into our Midway USA Foundation team account for participating in the AMU Nationals this year.
Other team members with notable performances, as individuals, helping the Warhawks claim the team bronze were Lamar Raybon with a total score of 1057; Kristin Burgans with a total score of 1031; and Brennan Brazell with 1030 points.
“Raybon and Burgans both shot personal best scores at this match,” said Miller. “We are looking for big things over the next 18 months from Raybon, Burgans and Brazell as they are the clear choices for leading next year's team.”
Next up, the Rifle Team will travel to Anniston on Feb. 17 to compete in the Army JROTC Service Championships.
“It was a tremendous effort on the part of the cadets to add this championship to their healthy competition schedule, but is was nice to be back at the Army Marksmanship Unit and home of U.S. Army Infantry. Daleville Rifle Team had a tradition of competing at Fort Benning in past years, and we are glad to have re-established a foothold there once again,” Miller said. “The team plans to compete for an invitation to return to USAMU and Fort Benning again next year. Thank you once again to our sponsors, the City of Daleville, and the Wiregrass community residents, for without your generous donations, this trip would not have been possible."
Rules of Conduct
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Current users sign in here.
Register