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The 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational was fired on CMP's new line of electronic air gun targets in Ohio. The event was also held at CMP's range in Alabama.

Shirley, Welter Claim Wins at 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational

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By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

A total of 330 junior sporter and precision air rifle athletes arrived in Ohio and Alabama over the weekend of Dec. 1-2 to compete in the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational – one of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) most anticipated youth events of the year. Individuals from around the country participated in the three-position match, with Gary Anderson himself even in attendance to witness the budding talent on the firing line.

Brayden Rich of Zion Benton High School earned third overall in the sporter match.
Brayden Rich of Zion Benton High School earned third overall in the sporter match.

In sporter, Bethany Shirley, 17, of Monroe, GA, acquired a commanding lead with a score of 660.6 for the overall win – nearly 20 points over Brooklyn Zeigler, 16, of Gray, TN, who earned a score of 642.9 for second. Rounding out the top three was Brayden Rich, 16, of Winthrop Harbor, IL, with a score of 641.5.

Leading the precision class was Natalie Welter,14, of Parker, PA, with an overall score of 699.7. Following closely in second was Carley Seabrooke, 17, of Helena, AL, with an aggregate score of 698.3, as Jack Ogoreuc, 16, Grove City, PA, found a score of 697.4 for third.

Ohio's American Legion Post 295 led the precision team match.
Ohio’s American Legion Post 295 led the precision team match.

Along with individual competitions, a four-person team event is also held during the event.

Leading teams of the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational:

Precision:

  1. American Legion Post 295 – 2348-156X
  2. East Coweta – 2325-138X
  3. Camden County High School Team A – 2323-131X

Sporter:

  1. Zion Benton High School Team 1 – 2174-55X
  2. Daniel Boone High School Sporter 1 – 2149-69X
  3. Zion Benton High School Team 1 – 2140-54X

The Gary Anderson Invitational is held within the 80-point electronic air gun ranges at both the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center at Camp Perry, Ohio, and the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center in Anniston, Ala. The junior sporter and precision air rifle competition includes kneeling, prone and standing positions for qualification scores as well as a 10-shot final fired by all athletes on the line. Winners are determined from scores at both locations.

Gary Anderson, the match's namesake, was in attendance at the Camp Perry location.
Gary Anderson, the match’s namesake, was in attendance at the Camp Perry location.

Find a complete list of results of the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational on the CMP’s website at https://ct.thecmp.org/GAI23Results.   

View and download free event photos from both locations at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/f260916458. 

About Gary Anderson: 

Mr. Anderson is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and holds seven world championships, six world records and 16 national championships. He has won more Olympic and world championship three-position titles than any other American in history. In 1999, Anderson began a 10-year reign as Director of Civilian Marksmanship and retired in December 2009. 

Today, Anderson serves as DCM Emeritus and remains a mentor for new and experienced, old and young shooters around the country through his articles and classes. Anderson’s advice is regularly featured in CMP’s junior magazine, On The Mark, and throughout the year during the clinics he leads at CMP events. In 2014, the CMP North Competition Center was renamed the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, in honor of his years of dedication to the sport.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.