Local shooters brings home Bronze from US National Junior Olympics


On April 3rd through 6th , 95 youths from all over the USA earned an invitation to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado for the 2013 US Junior Olympic National Pistol Championship. Two local shooters from the Newberry Junior Pistol Club were invited and attended the competition. Sean Blanton and Carrie Haltiwanger both competed in 10 meter air pistol. Sean and Carrie earned their invitations by their outstanding performances last December in the SC State Junior Olympic Championships where Carrie won 2 Gold Medals And Sean won 2 Silver Medals.

Each competition lasted 2 days. Carrie was competing as a J3, (ages 14 and under). Sean was competing as a J1, (ages 18 through 20). This was Carrie's first US National Junior Olympic competition and she turned in an outstanding performance. The ladies medal competition was very tight. After the first day of competition only 2 points separated Gold, Silver, and Bronze, with Carrie in the Bronze medal position. The second day of competition was just as exciting with a tight finish for the 2 days. Carrie took Bronze, only 1 point behind the Silver medalist and only 4 points behind the Gold medalist. She also celebrated her 13th birthday during the competition. This was Sean's third trip to the Junior Olympics, but his first time competing as a J1. He had 2 good days of shooting and was able to clench 18th in the J1 category.

Their Coach Ben Blanton is extremely proud of both of these youths and the outstanding performances they were able to put forth in the competition. The Newberry Junior Pistol Club is open to youths of all ages at no charge. We would like to thank The Friends of NRA Foundation, Gun Owners of SC, and Stokes Trainer for their financial support that enables this program to exist. If anyone is interested in participating in the program as a competitor or volunteer, or if you would like to help sponsor the program, please contact Head Coach Ben Blanton at 803-924-4694.

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