ACCOKEEK, MD –-(Ammoland.com)- Benelli, the name that is synonymous with 3-Gun victories, will gain even more prominence in 2015 with the fielding of a primary Team Benelli 3-Gun cadre.
The company has just announced Team Benelli’s Primary 3-Gun team, tapping shooting sports top-performers including Jacob Betsworth, Lance Dingler, Heather Fitzhugh, Aaron Hayes and Dianna Liedorff-Muller.
Team Benelli’s 3-Gun roster is a mix of professional, tactical, law enforcement and field shooting experts who bring a diverse talent base to the new team said Team Leader Liedorff-Muller, a certified firearms instructor and retired police officer. Liedorff-Muller is a USPSA national champion and professional 3-Gun competitor who represented Benelli in 2014.
“This is a winning team that can work together,” said Liedorff-Muller. “It’s going to be an exciting, competitive year.”
Team Member Jacob Betsworth shares Leidorff-Muller’s law enforcement background as a deputy sheriff, certified firearms instructor and professional 3-Gun shooter. Lance Dingler is a professional 3-Gun competitor, instructor and 3-Gun Nation Pro Series shooter. USPSA Pistol Champion and 3-Gun Nation Pro Series Qualifier Heather Fitzhugh is a competitive 3-Gun Shooter, noted blogger and firearms instructor. Aaron Hayes is a professional 3-Gun competitor for Benelli, as well as a certified NRA Instructor, gun builder and gunsmith.
Benelli’s strategy of putting a winning 3-Gun team together dovetails with the brand’s renowned performance and position in the 3-Gun arena, bolstered by the company’s legacy of excellence in tactical, law enforcement and military products like the M2, M4, Vinci and Nova. “Our guns have a reputation for performance and quality in every environment, whether it’s tactical, field sports or competitive,” said Tom Kaleta, Vice President of Marketing for Benelli USA.
“We wanted to put a team together that “runs” like our guns and be an extension of our brand.” said Kaleta.
Team Leader Liedorff-Muller and the team of shooters bring their own talents to the sport and the team, and will be Benelli brand ambassadors as well as competitors in the coming season.
“They all work well together and each one is a professional in their own right, so they can cross-mentor in technique, strategy, or answering questions. Team Benelli will be shooting Fiocchi Ammunition, which has a long-standing relationship with Benelli, both sharing Italian roots and premier positions in their respective industry categories. “We’re very excited to work with Fiocchi as we raise our 3-Gun profile,” said Kaleta. Kaleta went on to explain the goal of raising the Benelli profile in 3-Gun is part of a larger strategy to solidify the brand’s position across the board.
“Benelli dominates 3-Gun competition and lead the pack in all tactical applications, but our roots run deep into hunting. We’d like to extend the reach of competitive 3-Gun shooting to those who know our products from the duck blinds and upland fields. As such the Benelli Team has partnered with and will be wearing Realtree’s Max 5 Camo pattern in competition,” Kaleta continued.
“The sport of 3-Gun appeals to so many shooters and shooting families because it provides them an opportunity to become proficient with a pistol, MSR, and shotgun in a way that is so much more fun than just punching holes in paper. We’d like to introduce the hunting audience to this great sport and have some of the competition shooting fans see their favorite shooters out hunting in the fields,” said Kaleta.
“Picture Lance Dingler or Heather Fitzhugh quad-loading while hunting snow geese–that would be compelling TV and extends the message across another market.”
About:
Headquartered in Accokeek, MD, Benelli USA offers the largest selection of semi-automatic shotguns in the world, as well as a variety of fine products from Franchi, Stoeger, A. Uberti, and Stoeger Airguns. The company has built a solid reputation for producing high quality, durable products with their commitment to reliable function, efficient styling and mechanical precision. For more information visit the Benelli USA web site at www.benelliusa.com