Anna Behnke, 17, of the Wisconsin Junior Rifle Group, had an important expertise on the 2024 Nationwide Matches at Camp Perry as a result of, she stated, she has an important staff that gives a powerful basis for development. Because the excessive junior within the Nationwide Trophy Particular person Rifle Match, Behnke earned the Golden Eagle Trophy.
Behnke, of Black Creek, Wisconsin, additionally earned the Col. Invoice Deneke Trophy, which is awarded yearly to the Nationwide Junior Service Rifle Group which is comprised of the six prime scoring junior shooters in an mixture of the President’s Rifle Match, the Nationwide Trophy Particular person Rifle Match and the Nationwide Trophy Junior Group Match, in addition to the coach and captain of the profitable Nationwide Trophy Junior Group.
Behnke turned keen on marksmanship when a household good friend invited her to look at his children shoot. She began with smallbore and advanced to rifle about 5 years in the past. Now, she has a ardour for the game.
“I simply have a drive to beat myself,” she stated. “I additionally prefer it as a result of the group is a good factor to be part of. Everyone seems to be prepared to assist.”
The marksmanship group, particularly throughout the Wisconsin junior staff, creates a basis that helps the people thrive.
“I feel all of us push one another to shoot higher. Having such a superb staff, it pushes each single considered one of us to know we are able to all do higher,” she stated.
Competitors exists between staff members, however slightly than being a dividing power, it strengthens them individually and collectively. Ultimately, 4 of the Wisconsin Junior Rifle Group members earned the Col. Invoice Deneke Trophy. It’s uncommon for 4 opponents from the identical staff to realize the consideration.
“There’s competitors on the staff, however it’s good as a result of it pushes us,” she stated.
Behnke stated she prepped for the Nationwide Matches by practising set off time and studying to shoot within the wind, which is a significant factor as Lake Erie winds usually push throughout the Camp Perry ranges.
“It was follow, follow, follow set off time,” she stated. “And I hung out making an attempt to determine the wind. We’re simply not used to that form of wind at residence.”
Skilled marksmen like Behnke say that aggressive capturing is as a lot a psychological sport as it’s a bodily sport. Within the months earlier than the Nationwide Matches, she centered on getting ready herself mentally for the competitors.
“Mindset is big. That’s the principle factor,” she stated. “I inform myself, ‘One shot at a time. It’s a one-shot match.’”
Though Behnke is proactive about getting ready her thoughts for competitors, typically development comes organically whereas she shoots, because it did on the Nationwide Matches. In the course of the Nationwide Trophy Particular person Rifle Match, the place she earned the Golden Eagle Trophy, she shot at a degree she didn’t know she may attain. That success modified her psychological sport, respiration confidence into her mindset.
“That was my first time capturing clear on my toes. Standing is one thing each competitor struggles with, particularly mentally,” she stated.
Her efficiency on the rifle match remodeled her aggressive thought course of.
“That was a giant psychological shift for me. I proved to myself that it’s doable,” she stated. “I suppose I doubted the very fact I may shoot clear on my toes, and it’s one thing I overcame that morning.”
Shifting ahead, there may be not a lot that Behnke will change as she works towards subsequent 12 months’s Nationwide Matches.
“I’ll do the identical factor I did this 12 months. I’ll shoot each alternative I get,” she stated. “The one manner I do know to get higher is to do it. I’ll study from failing, and I’ll speak to my coaches. That helps lots mentally.”
Behnke stated Wisconsin Junior Rifle Group Head Coach Kaleb Corridor had a huge impact on her success.
“He does a lot for us children. He’s the coach who’s at each follow, each match,” she stated. “He’s so affected person with us. He’s prepared to assist us work by our issues. We admire him a ton.”
There have been many individuals who helped Behnke in her marksmanship journey.
“I wish to say a giant thanks to all of my coaches, teammates and particularly my mother and father for every thing they’ve performed,” she stated.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit company. It’s devoted to firearm security and marksmanship coaching and to the promotion of marksmanship competitors for residents of the USA. For extra details about the CMP and its packages, log onto www.TheCMP.org.
