ual rifl e shooting medals at three or more Games. “One year out from Rio
Although Keith Sanderson fi nished in sixth place in Men’s Rapid Fire Pistol in Azerbaijan, he earned the required points to secure the Olympic Team Nomination.
thing, but rather a full-time occupation for the fi ve-time Olympian Rhode who now owns a U.S. Olympic record of fi ve medals in fi ve consec- utive Olympic Games. Just last month, Rhode was the only athlete to set or tie a world record as she defend- ed her Women’s Skeet gold at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada. As Rio rounds into view, Rhode has a new challenge in her Mix for Six as she tries to main- tain her status as best in the world. “It’s that moment on the
podium, watching the fl ag going to the top of the pole, hearing the national an- them, and remembering the journey it took to get there.
That’s what I remember most and it is that moment that has me excited to see how this journey will go in Rio 2016,” said Rhode. “I’ve trained hard and I know that there’s nothing
else I could have done. Now, it is time to have fun in the fi nal competitions leading up to Rio!” Hancock was as good
as he’s ever been in 2012 with a performance that saw him win his second straight Olympic gold medal. With unmatched drive and com- petitive desire, the world’s best skeet shooters might be lining up behind him for a long time to come. Emmons’ body of work,
with three Olympic medals and 50 international shoot- ing medals, suggests simply that Emmons is one of the best marksmen in history, becoming just the fourth shooter ever to win individ-
– great! Let’s get this party started,” Emmons said. “Personally, I’m really happy with where I’m at. Things are progressing well and I’m looking forward to the next year of training and compe- titions. Of course, I’m not qualifi ed for the Olympic Team yet, but that’s the goal - Qualify and then go to Rio feeling strong and intent on performing great. I live for those moments, so that’s what’s lighting my fi re every day.
“I’m also really looking
forward to seeing what my team does next year. I truly believe we have so much potential for greatness. If ev- eryone does their part (ath- letes and staff), works hard in their respective areas and works to create that excit- ing and positive environ- ment we’ve had in the past, there’s no telling what we can do. It’s going to be fun!” Rhode, Hancock and Em-
mons are not the only sto- rylines as Rio approaches. As always, there’s a veteran mix of talent including sev- eral Olympic standouts with their eye on another Olympic run. Additionally, there’s a present youth movement that has grabbed ahold of the sport in 2015. This year alone at the height of 2016 Olympic qualifi cation,
13-year-old pistol shooter Carson Saabye (Larkspur, Colorado) became the youngest USA Shooting Na- tional Team member in the history of the sport. Also in Pistol, 18-year-old Lydia Paterson (Kansas City, Kan- sas) earned a rare Olympic quota in Women’s Air Pistol. In Rifl e, a pair of teenagers in Sarah Osborn (16, Hamp- ton, Virginia) and Elizabeth Marsh (17, Searcy, Arkan- sas), both earned nomina- tion to the Pan American Games team and have com- peted in 2015 World Cups. Reputations aren’t built
overnight and USA Shoot- ing’s signifi cance as an Olympic sporting power has as much to do with its exten- sive history as does its recent accomplishments. Through- out our system, whether it’s the tested and recognized veterans or those looking to establish themselves as the next great Olympic story, the storylines are plentiful. Rio is In Sight, and we cannot wait.
Points and Quotas View up-to-date Olym-
pic quotas secured, Olym- pic point tables, athlete storylines and more at the USA Shooting hub for all things Olympic selection at
usashooting.org/rioinsight.
The Olympic Trials Selection Process Starts Now
The Olympic Trials process starts this fall/winter with the fi rst part of the Shotgun selection process beginning at Fall Selection, October 8 – 17 in Tucson, Arizona. The fi rst part of the selection process for Airgun events will begin at the Winter Airgun Championships December 3 – 6 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Registration for both of these events is now open at
usashooting.org. For more information on the Olympic and Paralympic qualifi cation and selection process, check out the Policies and Procedures section under the Resources tab at
usashooting.org or by visiting
bit.ly/1wFqJ7m.
September 2015 | USA Shooting News 45
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