By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer
CAMP PERRY, Ohio; ANNISTON, Ala. -(Ammoland.com)- Shannon Tyssen of Upson Lee High School JROTC in Georgia and Emma Thompson of Freeport High School in Illinois captured the essence of the Gary Anderson Invitational’s namesake (a two-time gold medalist and multi-world record holder) as they shattered 12 collective National Records during their performances at the 2016 annual event.
The match is conducted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) and is open to precision and sporter junior air rifle competitors from around the country.
On Dec. 3, Tyssen, 18, set three new precision Navy JROTC records with a 3×20 score of 594-44x, a 3×20 plus Final score of 694.3 and an unbelievable 20 Shots Kneeling score of 200-19x. With her outstanding performance, Tyssen bested a field of 147 opponents to become the overall precision champion while competing at the CMP’s South Competition Center in Anniston, AL.
That same day, 750 miles north at Camp Perry, Thompson incredibly set nine – yes, NINE – new sporter National Records with her performance, starting with her 20 Shots Standing score of 187-7x, which served as a new Navy JROTC record, and her 20 Shots Kneeling score of 195-9x, which prompted a new Navy JROTC record and a new Age Group II record.
Additionally, her 3×20 score of 577-28x set new Navy JROTC, Age Group II and Overall records, as did her 3×20 plus Final score of 672.4.
Astoundingly, Thompson, 16, broke three National Records she had previously set before the Gary Anderson Invite – adding her name to six more along the way.
The Gary Anderson Invitational is a three-position air rifle tournament that follows the 3×20 course of fire. Each shooter fires 20 record shots from prone, standing and kneeling positions, with the Top 8 shooters advancing to the final. Winners are determined overall of scores comprised from competitors at the CMP Gary Anderson Competition Center located at Camp Perry, OH, and CMP South competitors in Anniston (3×20 plus final scores). Both schools and junior clubs are welcome to participate in the annual competition.
This year’s match saw 385 total competitors and was the first to be fired on CMP’s newly updated electronic air gun targets.
Coming in second in the precision class was Richard Clark, 16, of Riverside Shooting Club in Michigan, with a score of 687.6, followed by Annabelle Stanec, 16, of Ashland Eagles JRC in Ohio, with a score of 686.9.
In sporter, Hailey Smith, 18, of Zion Benton High School in Illinois, fired a score of 650.4 to earn second, while Jason Migliori, 18, of Middletown Post 151 in New York, recorded 649.8 to land in third.
The top competitors in the sporter and precision classes at each competition center received individual gold, silver and bronze medallions. The Top 3 are recognized with championship medallions and plaques.
Along with the individual competition, a team match was also held concurrently with the individual competition for any scholastic or club teams wishing to participate. Each individual’s score of the four-member team was combined to determine overall sporter and precision teams.
Winning Teams:
Precision:
- Riverside Shooting Club, Michigan – 2317-139x
- Hardcore 4, Georgia – 2316-124x
- Ashland Eagles, Ohio – 2311-131x
Sporter:
- Carroll County 4-H Air Rifle, Georgia – 1982-39x
- Palmyra JR Rifle Team, Pennsylvania – 1968-35x
- Walton Warriors 4-H, Georgia – 1959-38x
For a complete list of results, click here.
Photos from both locations can be found here.
About Gary Anderson:
Mr. Anderson is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and also holds seven world championships, six world records and 16 national championships. He has won more Olympic and world championship three-position titles than any other American in history. In 1999, Anderson began a 10-year reign as Director of Civilian Marksmanship and retired in December 2009.
Today, Anderson serves as DCM Emeritus and remains a mentor for new and experienced, old and young shooters around the country. In 2014, the CMP North Competition Center was renamed the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, in honor of his years of dedication to the sport.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.