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September 1, 2010 USA Shooting Team Available for NHF Day Interviews
National Hunting and Fishing Day is drawing near (Sept. 25, 2010) and this year's honorary chair-the entire USA Shooting Team-is available for media interviews.
A complete roster of these prospective 2012 Olympians, including hometowns, is below. "Most members of our shooting team grew up hunting and fishing," said National Shotgun Coach Bret Erickson, himself a four-time Olympian and lifelong hunter and angler from Bennington, Neb. "Nobody starts hunting because they want to go to the Olympics, but it helps. The skills learned in hunting and, to a lesser degree, fishing-safety and comfort with firearms, basic shooting mechanics, patience, controlling emotions, concentration, ability to focus for long periods, persistence-can translate directly to competitive shooting." The USA Shooting Team's strong background in sporting traditions is unique among international shooting teams. Denise Wagner of Wonders of Wildlife, the Springfield, Mo., official home of NHF Day, said, "American hunters and anglers are not only world-class conservationists, they have skills that help make world-class athletes." The USA Shooting Team is just back from the World Shooting Championships in Munich, Germany, where it won numerous medals, set new world records and secured five quota spots for the U.S. in the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games. Shooters are among the most decorated athletes in U.S. Olympic history. With 103 medals for shotgun, rifle and pistol marksmanship, only track and field, swimming, diving, wrestling and boxing have been more prolific medal producers for Americans. In fact, shooting ranks ahead of gymnastics, figure skating, volleyball and more than 30 other Olympic sports. Here's the USA Shooting Team roster of shotgun, rifle and pistol shooters, by state: Alabama Joe Hein, Phenix City Eric Uptagrafft, Phenix City Sandra Uptagrafft, Phenix City Daryl Szarenski, Seale Teresa DeWitt, Smiths Station Matthew Gossett, Springville Alaska Ryan Dunham Bender, Delta Junction Corey Cogdell, Eagle River Janine Dutton, Eagle River Arizona John Zurek, Tucson California Jake Wallace, Castaic Susan Sledge, El Cajon John Bickar, Menlo Park Kimberly Rhode, Monrovia Brenda Shinn, Riverside Ashley Carroll, Solvang Jeff Holguin, Yorba Linda Colorado Amber English, Colorado Springs Hannah Lewis, Colorado Springs Keith Sanderson, Colorado Springs Kathryn Kananen, Florissant Scott Franz, Livermore Florida Emil Milev, Tampa Alex Chichkov, Temple Terrace Georgia Jimmie Cooper, Columbus Steve Goff, Columbus Vincent Hancock, Eatonton Jason Parker, Forston Rhonda Bright, Midland Idaho Will Brown, Twins Falls Illinois Kelcey DePatis, Donovan Indiana Sarah Beard, Danville Iowa Haley Dunn, Eddyville Louisiana Jake Wallace, Castaic Michael Liuzza, New Orleans Caitlin Connor, Winnfield Michigan Rachael Heiden, Clinton Teresa Meyer, Dearborn Minnesota Matt Emmons, Grand Rapids Missouri Shawn Dulohery, Lee's Summit Montana Lauren Brester, Bozeman Kylie Gagnon, Bozeman Nevada Reya Kempley, Carson City Tarl Kempley, Carson City New York Sandra Fong, New York Jason Turner, Rochester North Dakota Matthew Pueppke, Amenia Ohio William Crawford, Johnstown Derek Haldeman, Sunbury Michael Seery, Toledo Oklahoma Jon Michael McGrath, Tulsa Oregon Michael Seery, Oregon Pennsylvania Michael Kulbaki, Du Bois Josh Richmond, Hillsgrove Ian Rupert, Muncy Brad Balsley, Uniontown South Carolina Christopher Hudock, Charleston Cathy Arnot, Columbia South Dakota Brian Beaman, Shelby Dempster Christenson, Sioux Falls Texas Brandy Drozd, Bryan Thomas Bayer, College Station Miranda Wilder, Diana Morgan Harbison, Farmersville Glenn Eller, Houston Sean McLelland, Mission Taylor Gallegos, Prosper Chris Nona, Richmond Dominic Grazioli, San Antonio Meghann Morrill, San Antonio B.J. Blanchard, Vidor Matt Rawlings, Wharton Washington Denise Martin, Chewelah Jaiden Grinnell, Port Angeles John Mullins, Port Orchard Jake Turner, Richland Amanda Furrer, Spokane Wisconsin Michael McPhail, Darlington Wyoming Dustin Chesboro, Laramie To arrange an interview with any member of the USA Shooting Team, contact Katie McGinty, USA Shooting media and public relations manager, at 719-866-4896 orkatie.mcginty@usashooting.org. For info on NHF Day, contact Denise Wagner at Wonders of Wildlife museum at 203-241-4468 or nhfday@wondersofwildlife.org, or visit www.nhfday.org. Sponsors for NHF Day 2010 include Wonders of Wildlife, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman Channel, Realtree, Cabela's, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, Pope and Young Club, Izaak Walton League of America, and Academy Sports + Outdoors. |