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The pistol club at Virginia Military Institute competed in the National Collegiate Pistol Championship held at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) Army post near Columbus, Ga., in late March.
The VMI contingent consisted of a team of four shooters: Parker Hall ’24, Chris Olsen ’25, Jacob Cook ’26 and Kate Patrick ’27, with Jamie Palacio ’27 competing as an individual. The club held a national rank of 11th place going into the competition.
Fifteen schools were represented at the championship, with 89 shooters competing, made up of 69 men and 20 women. The competition consisted of 60 shots fired in three different shooting disciplines: air pistol, sport pistol, and standard pistol, for a total of 180 shots fired. VMI came in 10th place for air pistol, eighth place for sport pistol, and 10th place for standard pistol. The team finished the competition in 10th place, improving their national ranking.
The Ohio State University was the first place winner, followed by the U.S. Naval Academy in second, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in third.
Patrick, a psychology major from Vinton, tried out for the team thinking she wasn’t going to do well, but that she would have fun.
“It was a good escape for me from the Rat Line, but now I am in absolute love with it,” she said. “I have been able to improve my shooting scores, and have made some really good friends. I’m excited to see what I will accomplish next year.”
Olsen, a biology major from Mechanicsville, said he has also formed friendships with team members. “The club is small, which has allowed me to get really close to the team. I feel as though they are my second family at VMI,” he said.
Additional club members who did not compete in the championship include Bill Davidson ’24, Alexandria Holt ’24, William Gray ’27, Chase Boucher ’27, and Da Ke ’27.
The team is led by head coach Reese McCormick and assistant coach Norman Claytor, with special assistance by Paul Lahah.
VMI CADETS Jamie Palacio ’27, Kate Patrick ’27, Jacob Cook ’26, Chris Olsen ’25, and Parker Hall ’24 gather before competing in the National Collegiate Pistol Championship. (photo courtesy of Reese McCormick)
