5 From Brewster HS Earn Top Marks At Air Rifle Championships

BREWSTER, NY — A group of of local high school students are earning accolades from their peers and developing a reputation as precision shooters.

From the Brewster Central School District.

Five members of the Brewster High School Navy Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps Air Rifle team earned top marks at the recent Area 1 Championship in Coventry, Rhode Island. Senior Sofia LaRocca came in first place overall. The team, which placed fourth, is headed to the next Area Championship–the equivalent of States–at the end of January.

The history of air rifle marksmanship dates back to the 1500s but is a relatively new sport at BHS NJROTC, which makes the team’s recent accomplishment all the more impressive. The team’s journey started in November when they competed in the Secretary of the Navy Air Rifle competition against roughly 500 Cadets worldwide. A team of five–Sofia LaRocca, Patrick Williams, Tabitha Neives, Katy Almodovar and Emma Plouffee–received high scores which earned them an invitation to the Area 1 competition in Rhode Island.

Air Rifle Marksmanship competitions have cadets shooting in three positions–standing, kneeling, and laying down. They are required to shoot 20 recorded shots on 20 separate targets, in each position (60 targets total). They shoot at a distance of 10 meters at targets as big as a quarter.

Air rifle is a sport that demands precision and focus. So, the BHS team practices three times a week. "Our students have done well because they are dedicated and focused," said teacher Master Chief Michael Campbell.

"I felt extreme nerves entering the competition. I began to overthink my performance, and thought I had no chance of beating anyone else," said Tabitha Nieves, "I recall looking back behind the firing zone, and seeing Master Chief Campbell telling me to control my breathing, and that I had this."

Sofia LaRocca who has competed nationally and dreams of the 2028 Paralympics said, "it’s like yoga, I just focus, breathe and aim."

The team, which is focused on the next competition, even has a shot at Nationals.

This press release was produced by the Brewster Central School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.