Does varsity air rifle count?

21brewera

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Jan 28, 2019
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I'm a sophemore and I'm on the varsity air rifle team. I don't play any other sports, though. Will varsity air rifle count, or do I need to join another sport, even if I may not make varsity? Am I too late?
 
I'm a sophemore and I'm on the varsity air rifle team. I don't play any other sports, though. Will varsity air rifle count, or do I need to join another sport, even if I may not make varsity? Am I too late?

I know a guy who’s a recruited athlete for rifle and has been appointed to the Academy.
 
I'm a sophemore and I'm on the varsity air rifle team. I don't play any other sports, though. Will varsity air rifle count, or do I need to join another sport, even if I may not make varsity? Am I too late?
You get "points" for playing varsity sports and becoming a team captain. These points will increase your chance of getting an appointment However, I think a lot of people miss what the academy is trying to accomplish. They want to attract scholar athletes that are leaders in their community. They seek "varsity athletes" because they are hoping that these young people have learned leadership and teamwork by playing sports. They also hope their activities keep them in excellent physical condition. Don't get me wrong, they have a shooting team and obviously the military involves shooting. However, if you show up and it takes you 12 minutes to run a mile and you have not ever really competed with other athletes that are big, strong and fast, you are at a marked disadvantage. Not all, but many, of the boys are legitimate D-1 athletes. So are the women. We just saw that the woman's boxing team win the National College boxing championship. The point is that the application process is not just about trying to check some box. You have to think about "if you belong" and will be happy. If you hate participating in sports like running, wrestling, football, baseball, basketball, hockey, lacrosse and boxing you may not be in the right place. If you have not every played them and can not compete with men, it is going to be very difficult for you if you are a woman. By the way, 600 of approximately 1,000 West Point seniors just got their branch assignments and were put in combat arms units. They were also told the number of combat arms assignments is going to increase dramatically in the coming years for all of the West Point cadets.
 
My DS was in the same position as a sophomore. His only sport was air rifle. This was the advice he got: seek out leadership roles on rifle team, join the track and cross country teams, perform well on the CFA, and try to max out his academic and extra curricular leadership record. He became rifle team captain for Junior and Senior year, was awarded 3 varsity letters, and joined his school's running sports teams. His school has a no-cut policy for track and cross country, and he reasoned that he was going to have to get into good physical shape anyway. He has not received any varsity letters for track or cross country, but it did challenge him to continue with something that he was not very good at. I think it showed his perseverance and helped his personal growth and fitness level. Do you shoot Sporter or Precision? Shooting at the D-1 level is EXTREMELY difficult if you have only shot in sporter class. They really only consider precision shooters for the team, so DS knew that it would be highly unlikely he would be considered for the WP rifle team. Things worked out for DS. He received LOAs and offers of appointment for USMA and USNA, and accepted his offer to West Point. Good luck to you! You do have time, if you start making plans now.
 
My DS was in the same position as a sophomore. His only sport was air rifle. This was the advice he got: seek out leadership roles on rifle team, join the track and cross country teams, perform well on the CFA, and try to max out his academic and extra curricular leadership record. He became rifle team captain for Junior and Senior year, was awarded 3 varsity letters, and joined his school's running sports teams. His school has a no-cut policy for track and cross country, and he reasoned that he was going to have to get into good physical shape anyway. He has not received any varsity letters for track or cross country, but it did challenge him to continue with something that he was not very good at. I think it showed his perseverance and helped his personal growth and fitness level. Do you shoot Sporter or Precision? Shooting at the D-1 level is EXTREMELY difficult if you have only shot in sporter class. They really only consider precision shooters for the team, so DS knew that it would be highly unlikely he would be considered for the WP rifle team. Things worked out for DS. He received LOAs and offers of appointment for USMA and USNA, and accepted his offer to West Point. Good luck to you! You do have time, if you start making plans now.
I shoot sporter right now, but plan on moving to precision next year. I've never been much of a runner, but I've been wanting to start. Thanks for the help!
 
Shooting sports count as noted above. But make sure you are in top physical shape as well, going out for track this spring isn't a bad idea if you can swing it with your match schedule.

USMA has pistol, rifle, skeet and trap teams FYI. Do you compete outside of your school league [regional / national NRA events etc?]
 
Shooting sports count as noted above. But make sure you are in top physical shape as well, going out for track this spring isn't a bad idea if you can swing it with your match schedule.

USMA has pistol, rifle, skeet and trap teams FYI. Do you compete outside of your school league [regional / national NRA events etc?]
My school participates in monthly cmp matches at Camp Perry as well as american legion matches, but other than that no. That is definitely something for me to look into.
 
CMP is a sanctioning body; precisely the type of competition I was thinking of. Keep it up and seriously consider adding track. As far as leadership roles go for example you can always volunteer to assist in coaching new junior shooters etc. at your local club.
 
CMP is a sanctioning body; precisely the type of competition I was thinking of. Keep it up and seriously consider adding track. As far as leadership roles go for example you can always volunteer to assist in coaching new junior shooters etc. at your local club.
Thanks for the tips!
 
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