We’re in the final week of National Shooting Sports Month. I realize 2020 hasn’t been the kindest to those who love trigger time. Many of you found local ranges closed and matches canceled. Others are having a tough time finding ammunition making dry fire the new live fire. With an election looming and the leftist presidential and vice-presidential candidates emphatic about going after the firearms industry and our gun rights, there’s cause for concern. #gunvote

Even with all this, there is a bright side. There are more lawful gun owners than ever in America! With this comes many more role models and range time inspiration, especially in the shooting sports.

When I was small I had shooting heroes I looked up to but none my age. As a young range officer, I had a front-row seat whenever living legends Rob Leatham and Jerry Miculek came to the Miller Invitational. My home club hosted this prestigious match and it was the last warm-up before the US Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Nationals. I also loved watching lady champions Shelia Brey, Kippi Leatham, and Kay Miculek shoot, but there were really no girls my age for me to watch in the sport. I remember winning my first junior state title in West Virginia and being both shocked and excited because more kids were shooting than just little old me. 

Today is different! Rimfire Challenge changed the landscape for shooting sports for families. One of my local ranges has a Steel Challenge junior program that keeps kids active, motivated, and engaged. Even the more gun-handling intense sports, like USPSA, have seen a boom in young women competing. Now there are so many young phenoms on the range chasing their goals. In honor of Shooting Sports Month, I wanted to tell you about 3 young women you may not be following on social media whose tenacity and joy for shooting inspire me.

Future Shooting Stars

Jenna Larsen – @braided_steel

First up is Jenna Larson AKA Braided Steel. At just 17 years old, she loves the color pink, a tasty burger, painting and shooting steel, of course. Jenna competes in Steel Challenge matches along with fellow junior competitors as a member of the Kansas City Steel Raiders. Her breakthrough moment in shooting came during her practices with her team and as a result, Jenna is now a Grand Master (GM) in rimfire rifle (corrected from original post). Check out this recent video she posted shooting GM scores on Roundabout.

What I love most about shooting is how friendly the shooting community is.

Jenna Larsen

Rachel Harper – @shooter_rachel

Another 17-year-old, Rachel is a talented athlete both on and off the range. Most often seen competing in the Carry Optics division in USPSA, she’s a Master Class level shooter hoping to improve her performances at major matches this year. Aside from shooting she enjoys the color seafoam green, eating sushi and cooking. Check out this video of her first-place score as she blazes through this run-n-gun stage.

What I love most about shooting is the people because they are like a second family to me. We all just have a really great time when we are on and off the range.

Rachel Harper

Mikayla Blosser – @hillofashooter

Mikayla is 23 and aside from a love of watermelons, crafting, hiking, and biking, she’s a USPSA Master Class shooter chasing her goal to become a ladies national champion. Because of shooting, she’s learned that attitude is a choice and uses this to help her come back from a rough stage performance and step up to the line to give her best every time. Watch her tearing up the range with her open gun in a jersey a shade of her favorite color.

What I love most? Hands down I love the people. There’s really no other sport you get to compete alongside the pros and everyone is so nice and willing to lend a helping hand. 

Mikayla Blosser

Jenna, Mikayla, and Rachel are three of many other competitors who are making their mark in the shooting sports despite the many challenges we as gun owners face. During Shooting Sports Month, let’s celebrate them and the legacy they are building with us.

Looking for a fast and fun shooting sport for your aspiring junior competitor? Check out this video from the Scholastic Action Pistol Program.