Cadets lead the way at Small Arms Championship
During spring break, the University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) Combat Action Shooting Team (CAST) swept the top two spots in the cadet team division of the U.S. Army Small Arms Championship.
Jesse Shoemaker, CAST officer in charge, was named top cadet, winning by more than 200 points. He earned excellence in competition points in both rifle and pistol, placing him in the top 10% of all 209 shooters at the competition. The Douglasville, Georgia, resident previously placed fourth in his freshman year and third in his sophomore year in the competition. He attributes his improved proficiency and skill — and that of the team — to constant practice.
"We spent every weekend and every waking moment thinking about how to improve our skills and develop the team," he said. "Next year the team strives to put more emphasis on training national match high-power and service rifle to sweep the top 10."
Shoemaker is pursuing a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness.
Nicholas Price, also a junior, finished third overall in the cadet division.
"I am grateful to be recognized and happy to see that marksman shooting is being recognized. I am a first-year shooter, and Small Arms was my first time at a big competition," he said.
Price is from Cumming, Georgia, and is pursuing a degree in management.
As a team, CAST secured seven of the top 10 cadet positions, further demonstrating the depth and consistency of the program.
"While this achievement is significant, the team remains focused on continued growth and preparation as they train for the upcoming SIG Sauer Relentless Warrior Championship in New Hampshire," Shoemaker said.
Practice and preparation paid off as the team had impressive results in the SIG Sauer Relentless Warrior Campionship as Shoemaker alluded to. Â鶹ÊÓƵ was the only senior military college on the podium at the New Hampshire competition in April, according to Shoemaker. Â鶹ÊÓƵ earned third place, the Air Force Academy took second place and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point took home the gold. Shoemaker was seventh individually, with Price also in the top 20.
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