As some of you may be aware, the State Junior Highpower Program was resurrected in 2007 after an absence of more than a decade. The program continues to grow with 20 juniors participating in one or more highpower matches during 2008. The following will touch on the highlights and low points of the past year.
Once again, the Friends of the NRA, led by its Baton Rouge Chapter, provided the program with a generous grant of nearly $10,000. These funds were used for the purchase of four Rock River Arms National Match AR-15s, shooting equipment, reloading components and ammunition. In addition, the LSA, under the direction of Jay Meynier, raffled a CMP M1 Garand for the juniors’ benefit. The raffle raised nearly $4,000 which will be available as grants to juniors for travel and other soft costs not eligible under the Friends of the NRA grant program. Thus, the Junior Highpower Program is well positioned to continue its growth through 2009.
It wouldn’t be a high power program without some shooting. This year, our juniors participated in local, state, regional and national matches. 8 juniors shot the Bayou State Regional at Palo Alto in April with Michael Liuzza finishing as High Junior and 2nd Expert. Another performance of note was Will Carson’s at 3rd Marksman. 5 juniors participated in the State Highpower Championship in October. A junior from Florida, Jason Case, was the match winner. High Louisiana Junior was Will Carson who also shot the top Marksman score. In spite of increased participation in matches up to the regional level, this year’s junior participation in the National Matches at Camp Perry fell short of the program’s goals. The lone junior at Camp Perry was Michael Liuzza who shot everything from smallbore to highpower long range. Michael’s best moments were not during the highpower matches. He finished 1st place in the Marksman class for smallbore 3 position and was invited to compete on the Drew Cup team where he fired the team’s high score.
In addition to participation in competitions, 3 of our juniors, Will Carson, David Higgins and Michael Liuzza, traveled to Camp Butner, NC for the Eastern U.S. Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship. The Eastern U.S. Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship offers a full week of clinics, coaching and competition for junior service rifle competitors. Juniors attending the clinic have the opportunity to expand their current level of experience and expertise as well as build friendships and camaraderie within the sport. Instruction for this clinic is provided by the USMC Marksmanship Training Unit. The juniors who have attended this clinic have provided only the highest praise. CMP provides a grant for travel expenses for those attending. For 2009, it is a goal of the junior program to increase our participation in this year’s event.
When the Louisiana Junior Highpower Program was resurrected, the stated goals were to increase junior participation in highpower shooting in Louisiana, to increase Louisiana junior participation at the National Matches and to field the first Louisiana junior team for the National Trophy Team competition in over a decade. It appears that the junior program has reached critical mass - interest and participation are increasing. However, it needs to take the next step - to become a team. That is this year’s goal.
We are looking for 14 to 19 years olds who are interested in learning how to really shoot a rifle and want to try competitive shooting. We have everything they need to start. PM me.
Dan
Once again, the Friends of the NRA, led by its Baton Rouge Chapter, provided the program with a generous grant of nearly $10,000. These funds were used for the purchase of four Rock River Arms National Match AR-15s, shooting equipment, reloading components and ammunition. In addition, the LSA, under the direction of Jay Meynier, raffled a CMP M1 Garand for the juniors’ benefit. The raffle raised nearly $4,000 which will be available as grants to juniors for travel and other soft costs not eligible under the Friends of the NRA grant program. Thus, the Junior Highpower Program is well positioned to continue its growth through 2009.
It wouldn’t be a high power program without some shooting. This year, our juniors participated in local, state, regional and national matches. 8 juniors shot the Bayou State Regional at Palo Alto in April with Michael Liuzza finishing as High Junior and 2nd Expert. Another performance of note was Will Carson’s at 3rd Marksman. 5 juniors participated in the State Highpower Championship in October. A junior from Florida, Jason Case, was the match winner. High Louisiana Junior was Will Carson who also shot the top Marksman score. In spite of increased participation in matches up to the regional level, this year’s junior participation in the National Matches at Camp Perry fell short of the program’s goals. The lone junior at Camp Perry was Michael Liuzza who shot everything from smallbore to highpower long range. Michael’s best moments were not during the highpower matches. He finished 1st place in the Marksman class for smallbore 3 position and was invited to compete on the Drew Cup team where he fired the team’s high score.
In addition to participation in competitions, 3 of our juniors, Will Carson, David Higgins and Michael Liuzza, traveled to Camp Butner, NC for the Eastern U.S. Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship. The Eastern U.S. Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship offers a full week of clinics, coaching and competition for junior service rifle competitors. Juniors attending the clinic have the opportunity to expand their current level of experience and expertise as well as build friendships and camaraderie within the sport. Instruction for this clinic is provided by the USMC Marksmanship Training Unit. The juniors who have attended this clinic have provided only the highest praise. CMP provides a grant for travel expenses for those attending. For 2009, it is a goal of the junior program to increase our participation in this year’s event.
When the Louisiana Junior Highpower Program was resurrected, the stated goals were to increase junior participation in highpower shooting in Louisiana, to increase Louisiana junior participation at the National Matches and to field the first Louisiana junior team for the National Trophy Team competition in over a decade. It appears that the junior program has reached critical mass - interest and participation are increasing. However, it needs to take the next step - to become a team. That is this year’s goal.
We are looking for 14 to 19 years olds who are interested in learning how to really shoot a rifle and want to try competitive shooting. We have everything they need to start. PM me.
Dan
