By AMBER HOLT
Student contributor
On July 13 and 14, members of the local junior rifle team were able to participate in a national shooting competition based at Camp Perry, Ohio.
The team has practiced all year in order to build their skills and precision. The Oil City Jr. Rifle Team sent Cranberry High School students Rachel Bell, Hayden Bell, and Austin Seigworth to compete, as well as Luke Messner and Lily Cicatella from surrounding schools.
The competition was held at Camp Perry, a national guard base of Ohio. This event is through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) and is open to teenagers all across the United States.
The students began their day by donning all of the necessary, appropriate gear. Throughout the course of the competition, each individual shot precision air and .22 caliber rifles.
While shooting both indoors and outdoors, the team was able to gain experience shooting in different elements of nature. For instance, the competitors endured extreme heat as well as high wind situations while participating.
The team was able to place 37th out of the 55 competing teams during the air rifle portion of the competition. As for the outdoor portion, Hayden Bell succeeded in a special four person team to represent Pennsylvania during the event’s last day. Overall, the state team placed 3rd and High Junior.
Amber Holt is a student at Cranberry High School and a member of Cranberry Chronicles, the school’s journalism/publications group.
