Sporter Champions Named for 2023

July 2, 2023

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸The First Shot▸Sporter Champions Named for 2023

By Claire O’Neel, CMP Feature Writer & Camp Counselor

The Sporter Class National Championship was held on June 22-24 at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Camp Perry, Ohio. Two matches were run, the CMP and Junior Olympic Three-Position National Championships and saw over 150 competitors and 50 teams compete. 

Nation Ford High School from Fort Mill, South Carolina, won the National CMP Sporter Team Title with a score of 2194-69. They were awarded $4000 from the CMP, and this marks the sixth consecutive National Title for Nation Ford. 

In second place was Zion Benton Township High School (Illinois) after posting a score of 2169-65. They were awarded a $3000 cash award from the CMP. Rounding out the podium was North Brunswick JROTC from Leland, North Carolina. With a score of 2168-74, they edged Fontana MCJROTC by nine center shots. North Brunswick was awarded $2000 from the CMP.

The High Club Team was Gallatin Valley Sharp Shooters from Montana. Team members were Natalie Samson, Nicole Berger, Marlie Sampson and Naya Talarico. Team Coach was Lee Nelson. 

In the individual category, Zion Benton saw Kalinn White win the championship title. Along with her championship medallion, White was awarded a Crossman Challenger donated by the Crosman Corporation. Emma Allen, representing Appling County 4-H placed second, and Hope Dobek representing Des Moines Central High School placed third. The top three finishers were each awarded $1000 from the CMP.

The rest of the top eight individuals were awarded medals as well as a $500 cash award from the CMP.

CMP National Individuals:

1. Kalinn White, Zion Benton Township High School (Illinois) – 443.1
2. Emma Allen, Appling County 4-H (Georgia) – 442.7
3. Hope Dobek, Des Moines Central High School (Iowa) – 423.8
4. Riley Vines, Zion Benton Township High School (Illinois) – 409
5. Ashley Padilla Cabello, Fontana High School (California) – 393.6
6. Abril DeCastro, Nation Ford High School (South Carolina)- 385
7. Mekayla Baker, West Forsyth High School (North Carolina) – 373.3
8. Kees Vandergriff, Nation Ford High School (South Carolina) – 371.4

CMP Nationals Teams:

1. Nation Ford High School (South Carolina) – Coach Col Sean Mulcahy (Kees Vandergriff, Abril DeCastro, Zurisaddai Ricardo, Samantha Zermeno)
2. Zion Benton Township High School (Illinois) – Coach Master Chief Dan Hackstein (Kalinn White, Addyson Gustafson, Brianna Benedetto, Brayden Rich)
3. North Brunswick JROTC (North Carolina) – Coach 1SG George Williams (Jose Gonzales, Jasmine Lopez, Valeria Alvarado, Hannah Gore)

Nation Ford also placed first in the Junior Olympic 3PAR Championship with a score of 2187-78. Zion Benton Township High School placed second, and Daniel Boone High School placed third. 

The High Club Team was Trigger Time 4-H from Virginia. Team members were Samantha Seagle, Samantha Erick, Noah Richter and Lexi Strand. 

After scoring a 430.7 in the final, Abril DeCastro, a rising senior at Nation Ford, secured the Junior Olympic 3PAR National Championship. She was also awarded a Crosman Challenger donated by the Crosman Corporation. Kiara Hallett, an individual from Iowa placed second, and Samantha Zermeno, also from Nation Ford placed third. 

Junior Olympic National Individuals:

1. Abril DeCastro, Nation Ford High School (South Carolina) – 430.7
2. Kiara Hallett, Individual (Iowa) – 427.9
3. Samantha Zermeno, Nation Ford High School (South Carolina) – 419.4
4. Kalinn White, Zion Benton Township High School (Illinois) – 408 
5. Judson Terry, Wilcox County 4-H (Georgia) – 398.4 
6. Ashley Carr, Guns R Us 4-H (Nebraska) – 390.8 
7. Natalie Smith, 133 Rifle (Alabama) – 377.3
8. Clay Crawford, Roberts Co. (South Dakota) – 374.8 

Junior Olympic Teams:

1. Nation Ford High School (South Carolina) – Coach Col Sean Mulcahy (Samantha Zermeno, Abril DeCastro, Kees Vandergriff, Caroline Audette)
2. Zion Benton Township High School (Illinois)- Coach Master Chief Dan Hackstein (Kalinn White, Brianna Benedetto, Riley Vines, Brayden Rich)
3. Daniel Boone High School (Tennessee) – Coach Maj Steven Sessis (Jake Moody, Nanchaya Bailey, Zachary Higgins, Connor Rowan)

Thirteen junior shooters were awarded their Junior Distinguished Badges. Earning a Distinguished Badge is an incredible honor, one that takes dedication to the sport and is sought by junior shooters all around the country. 

The CMP awarded an additional $1000 scholarship to each of the top three graduating seniors. This year those scholarships were awarded to Hope Dobek, Kees Vandergriff, and Ashley Padilla Cabello. These scholarships can be used towards college tuition or a vocational school. 

Along with all the medalists, the CMP would also like to congratulate Nation Ford’s Coach Col Sean Mulcahy on his retirement. After many years of dedicated service, he leaves behind a decorated JROTC program, and we wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement. Stay tuned for a feature article on Col Mulcahy!

View full results from the event at https://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=match&task=edit&tab=results&match=24984. Photos may be viewed and downloaded at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/f482480355.