Wildcat precision team takes eighth in national championships / NJROTC

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, February 21, 2017

The Oak Harbor High School precision air rifle team placed eighth at the National NJROTC Service Championships Feb. 16-18 in Anniston, Ala.

Elena Flake paced the Wildcat attack by taking fourth in the individual standings.

By placing fourth, she qualified for the national all-service finals in Anniston in three weeks.

“She participated in her first top-eight shoot-off, which is a huge deal,” coach Dave Goodman said.

The eight shooters with the best scores took an addition 10 shots in offhand to determine the final standings.

Flake started the final round three points out of third and made up 2.9.

“Finishing only 0.1 points behind the shooter in front of her after 130 shots…was incredible to watch,” Goodman said.

Mia Gehrmann, Austin McBride and Julia Flake also competed for Oak Harbor.

“(Gehrmann) had an injury that dogged her the whole match and still shot well,” Goodman said. “(Julia Flake) had a muscle spasm in her leg during the practice day and almost toppled while shooting. She shot through its aftermath the next two days.

“(McBride) put in an excellent showing in his final national match. He leaves Oak Harbor as the last firing member of the 2015 CMP National Championship winners and is a national record holder.”

Jason Montano made the trip as the team’s alternate.

Montano moved over from the sporter rifle them, shooting the precision rifle for only the third time.

“He…requited himself very well for someone who had virtually no practice or experience in precision before the match,” Goodman said.