Shirley Claims Second Win at 2024 Gary Anderson Invitational
December 16, 2024
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
A total of 397 junior sporter and precision air rifle athletes arrived in Ohio and Alabama over the weekend of Dec. 6-7 to compete in the 2024 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 within the electronic target ranges of the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center (Port Clinton, OH) and the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center (Anniston, AL). Even Gary Anderson, a local to the Port Clinton area, arrived at the match to witness the junior athletes in action.
Bethany Shirley, 18, of Monroe, GA, led the sporter competition for the second consecutive year – reaching a score of 657.9. Following close behind was Brianna Benedetto, 18, of Beach Park, IL, with 652.6, as Alexandria Orr, 14, of Poquoson, VA, found third with a score of 648.9.
In precision, last year’s third place finisher, Jack Ogoreuc, 17, of Grove City, PA, returned to claim the top spot with an outstanding score of 701.0. Katlyn Sullivan, 18, of Statesboro, GA, and Carley Seabrooke, 18, of Helena, AL, proved a tight matchup with both producing a score of 695. Sullivan squeaked out a score of 695.5 to earn the second place position, as Seabrooke recorded 695.2 for third.
Along with individual competitions, a four-person team event is also held during the event.
Leading teams of the 2024 Gary Anderson Invitational:
Precision:
- Ole Mill Ranger Red – 2340-148X
- American Legion Post 295 A – 2312-122X
- Camden County High School GA Team A – 2299-134X
Sporter:
- Zion Benton High School – 2200-76X
- Volunteer High School – 2157-64X
- Daniel Boone High School Sporter 1 – 2128-54X
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.
Find a complete list of results of the 2024 Gary Anderson Invitational on the CMP’s website at https://ct.thecmp.org/2024GAIResults.
View and download free event photos from both locations from CMP’s Zenfolio page at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/f607499512.
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.
Great competition as always. Always a pleasure and honor to participate in the Gary Anderson competition. Icing on the cake was taking a team picture with Gary Anderson. Special thanks to everyone at CMP for everything you do and making these competitions available for our youth. Happy Holidays to all of you.