- Cadets in Bob Jones Air Force Junior ROTC were the winners against Seneca Marine Corps Junior ROTC or MCJROTC of Louisville, Ky. in the 2023 National Air Rifle New Shooter League. The Bob Jones team includes Cate Curry, from left, Taylor Turpin, Elizabeth Lee, Sarah King, Carson Drake, Matthew Rodriguez, Aaron Chen and James Cairns. CONTRIBUTED
Bob Jones AFJROTC defeats Kentucky rival Seneca
MADISON – Shooting their highest score of the season, cadets in Air Force Junior ROTC or AFJROTC at Bob Jones High School defeated Seneca Marine Corps Junior ROTC or MCJROTC from Louisville, Ky.
The final scores were 860.3 for Bob Jones and 820.0 for Seneca in the 2023 National Air Rifle New Shooter League.
Sponsor for the ‘New Shooter’ League is Orion Scoring System. A national team league, New Shooter is exclusive to athletes in their first year of competition.
“Teams are from high schools and junior rifle clubs throughout the United States. Over 10 weeks, each team competes in eight games. Each week, each team is paired with another team with a near-equal skill level,” CMSgt. Ellis Clark said. Clark coaches the Bob Jones AFJROTC team.
Elizabeth Lee, who shot a 230.6, led the Bob Jones students. The remaining contributing members with Bob Jones were Aaron Chen, Taylor Turpin and Matthew Rodriguez.
Overall, Bob Jones is ranked 48th. They have a 2-1 record.
Katherine Lawrence had the best score with 256.6 for Seneca MCJROTC. Other contributing members for Seneca were Charles Smith, Steven Coomer and Milan Rodriguez. Seneca MCJROTC’s hometown is Louisville, Ky. Their coach is 1st Sgt. (ret.) Tyrone Gunn.
Overall, Seneca MCJROTC is ranked 50th. They have a 1-3 record.
Next on their schedule, Bob Jones will compete against Caney Creek Navy Junior ROTC or NJROTC from Conroe, Texas. Caney Creek NJROTC currently has a 2-1 record. Seneca MCJROTC has a bye week.
“In each game, the teams compete in what is known as a ‘Three-Position Air Rifle Match.’ The match is modeled after Olympic Rifle competitions but adapted to high-school age athletes,” Ellis said.
“Each athlete will shoot 10 shots in three different shooting positions: prone, standing and kneeling,” Ellis said. “Each shot is worth a maximum of 10.9 points. The sum of points scored in the 30 shots is the athlete’s total. The team score is comprised of the best four athletes from each team.”
For more information on the league, including complete standings, visit national-leagues.com/new-shooter. Scoring details are available at orionresults.com/team/GamePage.aspx?MatchID=1.1.2023020710014004.1.
For Bob Jones’ team page, visit orionresults.com/team/LeagueTeam.aspx?TeamID=2154.