2016 College Nationals at CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park
Saturday, March 12, 2016, brought the College Nationals to CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park in Talladega, Ala. More than 93 competitors gathered their gear—and their reserve—and set out on a windy, overcast morning for a great day of shooting steel targets.
Overall, the teams expressed their positive impressions of the beautiful facility. "This was well worth the drive," Dillon Irwin, one of 20 members from the Florida State team, stated. "And it's definitely different from anything I've ever done before." The environmental science major went on to say that his goal for the day was to "not get DQ'd."
Beyond not getting disqualified, other competitors in the match shared goals of having fun, doing well, and putting only one shot on each target. Many of the shooters admitted they were new to shooting steel...and to competing in Alabama.
Matthew Bright of Bob Jones University out of Greenville, SC, mentioned that this was his team's first year competing with SASP and their first time at the CMP. "It's an amazing facility. We don't have anything like this. So it's great to get our feet wet and get some experience as a team...and, of course, to have some fun shooting."
There seemed to be a lot of fun happening throughout the day. While waiting for his turn to shoot, Michigan's Alex Mullen took a moment to express his appreciation for the range and his anticipation for shooting the steel targets. His times for the stage were great, and Coach Carrie Cargill, who was watching nearby, added, "This is our third year to compete in this event. But we're so used to our indoor ranges. So I have to give a lot of credit to the kids, to absorb everything and to imagine a lot...and to always pull it together. Of course, our number-one objective is to win. We we want everyone to shoot their best game and to enjoy it."
College Nationals Match Results
1st place Centerfire: Texas A&M Corps of Cadets – Maroon (177.99)
2nd place Centerfire: West Point – 2 (188.05)
3rd place Centerfire: University of Florida – 1 (195.76)
1st place Rimfire: Texas A&M Corps of Cadets – Maroon (190.24)
2nd place Rimfire: West Point – 1 (195.93)
3rd place Rimfire: Michigan State University – 2 (196.89)
1st place Centerfire Open: University of Vermont - 1 (338.64)
1st place Rimfire Open: University of Vermont – 2 (289.82)
2nd place Rimfire Open: Western Kentucky (392.98)
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF), parent organization for the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP), is announcing a change of venue for the 2016 SCTP and SASP National Championship events. The 2016 National Championships are being planned for July 9-16 at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. The World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) located in Sparta, Illinois, has been home of the SSSF National Championships for the last several years. Due to the unresolved statewide budget issues in Illinois, the state-owned WSRC remains closed at this time with no communicated schedule for reopening. The SSSF board of directors and senior leadership team have evaluated different options to keep the event in Sparta. Due to the continued unresolved budget situation and potential for government-mandated continued closure, the Foundation feels it is in the best interest of its members to provide certainty for the 2016 National Championship event. The SSSF National Championships contract with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) extends through July of 2017. The SSSF and IDNR have mutually agreed to suspend the contract for 2016 and will meet again to revisit the terms for 2017 in September of this year. The Foundation has entered into a one year agreement with the Cardinal Center Campground and Shooting Center to host the 2016 National Championships. The Center has 52 trap fields, 3 sporting clays courses, and rifle and pistol range construction is well underway. Several large-scale infrastructure projects are commencing at the center to accommodate the multiple shooting disciplines the SCTP and SASP championships bring. These projects include construction of 14 new skeet fields and 14 new action shooting bays which are scheduled to be completed well prior to the championships in July. Considered Ohio’s premier public shooting sports facility, the Cardinal Center offers impressive shooting ranges, as well as an indoor heated pool, lake for fishing, lots of outdoor activities, and great facilities for family camping, including 550 camp sites and Wi-Fi service available on the grounds. The center is located at I-71 (exit 140) and St. Rt. 61, just 30 miles north of Columbus and in close proximity to several hotels and restaurants. Looking for Lodging?