November/December 2010: Volume 18, Number 6 - USA Shooting

From the director of operationsLocked tight!” Collin Wietfeldt’sexclamation rang across therange and echoed off the skeethouses as he jiggled the doorhandle to the International Trapbunker. The shivering shooters shaggedtheir shells and swept the sidewalks as thesun slipped behind Cheyenne Mountain. Itwas deep fall, and the evening chill settledquickly in the shadows of the mountainrange. Wietfeldt, a USA Shooting NationalTeam member, buttoned up the range andthe 2010 season with a telling proclamation:“Field One down!”Though a squad or two might openup that trap field a few times before earlyspring, most of the U.S. Shotgun Teammembers will be in a rest-and-recoverymode as they plan and prep for anothergreat season.And what a season 2010 was! Amongmy sharpest memories of the ‘10 competitiveseason was a sound: the clanking ofmedals as our athletes would hoist themhigh on the award stand, rattling gold,silver and bronze in an ebullient expressionthat was louder than words. The U.S. medalsstacked up early, with a total of seven inMarch at the Acapulco World CupField One Up!alone. Six more draped the necks of U.S. athletesat the Beijing World Cup, and another halfdozenat the USA World Cup in Fort Benning,Ga. More than 30 international medals becamethe rightful property of our rock-solid shooters,and that many more medals were a mere pointor single target away from being grabbed byAmerican athletes with steady hands and sharpeyes.Among the steadiest and sharpest wereKim Rhode and Staff Sergeant Josh Richmond,both 2010 World Champions in Women’s Skeetand Men’s Double Trap respectively. Theywere nearly crowded out of the limelight by aWorld Shooting Championship Junior Teamthat collected more than 15 individual or teammedals. But you don’t need to be the king orqueen of the shooting world to have had a greatyear. As I watched hundreds of shooters pourtheir soul into every shot this year, I very oftenrecognized the same zeal and satisfaction inthose athletes—young or old—that I saw in ourmetal-clanking mega-shooters. After all, shooting—anyshooting—is fun!Of course, the shooting doesn’t stop whenwinter starts. In fact, Wietfeldt and friends willpull out their deer rifles or sporting guns, and‘rifle nation’ will be punching paper all the waythrough spring. Shooters all over this great landUSA SHOOTING MEMBERS:PULL THE TRIGGERON THE INDUSTRY’S BEST DISCOUNTSwill align the sights or peer down the ribwith the pure intent to hit their targets andmake it a great year. Sometimes, even oneshot can accomplish that feat, as you wellknow.You should also know this great yearwas more than medals and shining moments.USA Shooting staff and NationalCoaches, team members and certainly yourfellow shooters reveled in the record numberof participants at matches, tremendousspirit of teamwork and sportsmanship andpervasive sense of community that helpedus all feel “locked tight.” With Thanksgivingclose enough I can smell the stuffing,I’m certain we have another gift for whichwe can be grateful: our incredible sport andthe splendid shooters who make it grand.With relatively few days until the NewYear, I’m already in the mindset of a fantastic2011. With plans for spectacular eventsand in anticipation of countless inspiringperformances, I can hardly wait to put 2010in the books. Spring is not far off, after all.The days will fill with light and warmth,and before long, bright shooters across thecountry will be shouting, “Field One up!”■ Bill Roy, Director of OperationsUSA Shooting has partnered with ProMotive.com tooffer a free Pro Deal membership for USA ShootingMembers. Once a member of the USA Shooting teamon ProMotive.com enjoy easy, 24/7 online access toamazing discounts on top industry brands! ApplyNow!www.promotive.com/ext/usashootingNov-Dec Issue 2010.indd 2511/8/10 9:22 PM