Rifle Team?

R

raulkingviera

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
21
I was looking at the navy athletics site and saw that they have a rifle team. Anyone know how good you have to be to make it? Rifle Team is what I do at my school, and I would be very interested in shooting for the USNA.
 
Not sure what the Rife Teams requirements are anymore, but I was on the pistol team back in my day. We shared the range...they were on one side we were on the other. If it's anything like the pistol team, you'll have a "shoot out" prior to each meet to determine who will be participating as we had a very strong team and shooters. If you have your own rifle you will probably be able to have it at USNA. I bought my own pistol after my first year, my coach helped me get it as it was purchased from overseas. Many of us had our own gun.

If I were you, and you were serious about trying out and attending USNA I would see if you could get in contact w/ the coach of the Rifle team.
 
Reminds me of a roomate I had in college many moons ago...he attempted to make the US Olympic team. He discribed it as: "You start shooting and when you finally miss the center circle, you look around. If there's more than you and one other guy - you leave." :eek:
 
osdad, that made me laugh but I am pretty sure thats how it is. Well I know when school gets back in I will be in the range everyday.
 
I realize this is an old thread (2010? Wow!) but I am interested in joining team if I am granted the honor of an appointment, and I was wondering if anyone had any info on how to join the Rifle Team. I sent an email to the head coach a short while ago and have yet to hear anything.

EDIT: Just got an email back from the coach. He said they recruit from experience and they also have open tryouts in the fall. Does anyone have any more information?
 
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I'll be joining the rifle team this coming summer. I reached out to and was recruited by Coach Kelley. I've been shooting since my freshman year, switched from sporter to precision after sophomore and started shooting smallbore this year. You can find average scores on the USNA rifle teams websites under "season statistics". When I was at summer seminar, I was told not to bother trying to join the rifle team unless you have competition experience with either air or smallbore.
 
Wow, they said "don't bother trying"? That's a little harsh. I don't shoot competitively, but I've been shooting for fun since I was 12 (and I've been told I'm pretty good!), so if I get an appointment, I'll still be trying out. I feel like rifle isn't one of those things you have to do competitions to be good at (unlike football, basketball, etc.). I don't know, maybe I'm being naive. Either way, I'll still try out (should I get an appointment). You miss every shot you don't take!
 
Angie9715, your enthusiasm is great. Don't lose it. Remember that USNA is a Division 1 school in athletics. These coaches' livings depend on a bunch of 18-22 year olds, who are trying to balance academics and military, doing well in their sport. And yes, D1 sports are harsh and coaches get fired if there are no results. Trust me as a basketball player I can tell you it is a cut throat world in D1 sports and no joke, even at the Naval Academy. Just because you shot a rifle or pistol recreationally does not equate to competition shooting these guys do at USNA. USNA has a great rifle program and has produced some great shooters over the years. Some coaches hold tryouts and some don't. Some will do them for a day and pretty much tell them to all go home. Basketball we didn't hold "open" tryouts. The coaches let some people who were interested play during sports period plebe summer because we needed extra folks to play a real game. That pretty much summed it up if they could hang or not with the recruited players. During my 4 years, not one player ever made the transition to the regular team. I don't say this to discourage you, but to provide a little reality. Some sports such as crew have a little leeway as they have novice boats and develop rowers over the 4 years. Don't think the shooting teams fall in that category.
 
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