As 2 Corinthians 4 says, We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
The rifle team closed out its 2017-2018 season with fierce competition. It was a long day, with some disappointments, but the young men courageously took on the competition and continued to improve. We left campus at around 6am, and did not return until about 9pm, and faced very talented competition all day. Out of three teams, we unfortunately came in 3rd overall. Massanutten Military Academy won the day with a score of 2121, then Fishburne Military School with a score of 1934, and then HMA with a score of 1847. But that will not hamper our spirits. Out of 24 competitors, Dylan Moss came in 4th with a score of 515, and Chandler Wilkie came in 7th with a score of 499. From our team, once again the top 4 score. The other two who scored for HMA were Michael Hatcher with a 427 and freshman John Mauriello with a score of 406.
The other shooters were:
Aidan Steinbach: 388
Self: 377
Jed Dunkum: 361
If we broke the double match into two singles for comparison, a few cadets earned personal bests.
Michael Hatcher with a 229
Aidan Steinbach: 202(first time breaking 200, closest score before was a 187)
Overall, this was only the second time many of the cadets shot a double match, especially since 4 of the 7 competitors are first year shooters.
What I am most proud of these young men is the way they compose themselves despite facing a long day, mental stress, and defeat. They are strong ambassadors for HMA, both around other schools as well as out in the community.
If you see these young men around, please encourage them and tell them job well done, and that we might be struck down, but we are not destroyed.
