The Marion High School JROTC marksmanship team is once again racking up the accolades, including state championships and invitations to national championships.
Most recently, MHS junior Emily Smith won the Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Association three position (3P) State Championship in the Precision category. This was Smith’s first ever state championship title.
Joining her was teammate Andersson Guevara, sophomore, who claimed the runner-up title. The Giants finished second place in the match.
“It was so exciting to win,” the normally very reserved Smith said. “My scores were still not at the level I am working toward. But a win is a win.”
Smith, the team captain for the Marion squad, has led her team to a couple of other major accomplishments in the past few weeks.
Giants qualify for All-Army JROTC Rifle National Championship
The Giants learned in early January that they had qualified to compete in the All-Army JROTC Rifle National Championship next month. While the Giants have qualified every year since 2016 for this prestigious competition, each year they have to earn their spot. They go into the competition at Camp Perry, Ohio, as the No. 4-seeded team. In addition to Smith and Guevara, Khamrynn Allen, Gwyneth Hamilton and Nick Purdy will form the Marion team.
Giants invited to compete at elite Pardini Air Rifle National Championship
And while these accomplishments are significant, during winter break the Giants learned their team had qualified to attend the Pardini Air Rifle National Championship for the first time ever. Only 30 teams qualify for this top competition that includes the very best teams from across the country. Most of the teams who qualify are not from JROTC programs. In fact, the Giants are one of only three Army JROTC programs to qualify, and the only one from the entire Midwest.
“To be honest, I was shocked that we qualified to attend,” said the Giants’ coach, retired Lt. Col. David Farlow. “I entered us in the competition as a ‘high-pressure’ training opportunity for our team. I didn’t even imagine that we would qualify.”
Marksmen who attend the Pardini Championship are on the radar of NCAA collegiate coaches.
“[Pardini] is the highest level competition our team has ever qualified to attend,” Farlow said. “This is where the elite of the junior shooting programs will meet.”
Representing the Giants at the Pardini Championship will be Smith, Guevara, Allen, Nick Purdy and Danielle Purdy.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Top photo: Marion High School JROTC Marksmen Andersson Guevara, left, and Emily Smith take careful aim at a recent rifle match. Smith earned the state championship title at the recent Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Associations State Championship, and Guevara was the runner-up. The duo has helped their team earn multiple invitations to upcoming national championships. (Photo provided by Marion Community Schools)
Bottom photo: Members of the Marion High School JROTC air rifle marksmanship team have qualified to compete at the All-Army National Championship next month. Additionally, the Marion squad has qualified for their highest-ever team event: the Pardini Air National Championship. (Photo provided by Marion Community Schools)