With her aim on the Olympics, Alana Townsend of Kalispell secured the national title in the women’s 10-meter air pistol shooting competition at the National Junior Olympic Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo., on April 4.
Townsend, who graduated from Glacier High last year and is attending North Dakota State University, is rising in the international shooting ranks and achieved a breakout victory in Colorado. She finished with an overall score of 839.1, defeating her runner-up opponent by seven points. The victory qualified her for the upcoming World Cup competition in Fort Benning, Ga., beginning May 4.
“It’s going to be a great experience and it means a lot to me to be going,” Townsend send in a news release from USA Shooting.
USA Shooting Coach Sergey Luzov described the women’s division one of the most competitive he had ever seen.
Also competing at nationals, Tyler Volkman, a senior at Columbia Falls, edged out two USA team members and placed second in the 10-meter men’s air pistol competition.
The championship event featured over 500 of the best junior shooters in the nation. The top-two finishers in each event earn a spot on the USA Shooting National Junior Team.
For complete results, visit www.usashooting.org.