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MENUMENU
  • Get Involved
    • Youth
      • American Legion Junior 3PAR Tournament
      • 3PAR Shooting information
        • FAQs
        • Forms
        • National Council
        • National Records
        • National Standard 3PAR Rules
        • Sanctioning Matches
      • 3PAR Matches - CMP
      • 3PAR Matches - JROTC
      • CMP Junior Rifle Club
      • College Resources
      • Junior Distinguished Badge
      • Junior Rifle Camps and Clinics
        • Application to Host a CMP Summer Camp
      • National Match Youth Opportunities
        • CMP Highpower Rifle Clinic
        • Junior Highpower Support Program
      • Scholarship Program
    • Competitions - Adults
      • ACES POSTAL COMPETITION
      • Air Rifle and Air Pistol Program
      • Clinics & Schools
      • Distinguished Badge Program
      • Electronic Target Images
      • Forms
      • League Matches
      • Matches
      • National Records
      • Pistol Program
      • Rimfire Sporter Rifle Matches
      • Register for a CT Number
      • Rifle Program
        • Shooting Tips from the USAMU Service Rifle Team
      • Rulebooks
      • Smallbore Program
      • Travel Games
    • Clubs
      • Affiliate Purchase Program
      • Become Affiliated with CMP
      • Benefits of Club Affiliation
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      • Insurance Tailored for CMP Clubs & Community
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        • M1 Garand Fund Development Program
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        • 5K Range Run & 1K Fun Run
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WI Cheddar Takes Home National Junior Trophies

August 5, 2023

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸State Director▸Wisconsin▸WI Cheddar Takes Home National Junior Trophies

By Sheri Trusty, CMP Feature Writer

Siblings Thomas and Kacie McGowan outperformed 50 other two-man teams to earn the first-place spot at the National Trophy Junior Team Match during the 2023 National Matches. Their names will be added to the prestigious Freedom’s Fire Trophy at Camp Perry. 

Siblings Thomas and Kacie McGowan, along with Coach Kaleb Hall, received the Freedom's Fire Trophy plaques for placing 1st in the National Trophy Junior Team Match.
Siblings Thomas and Kacie McGowan, along with Coach Kaleb Hall, received the Freedom’s Fire Trophy plaques for placing 1st in the National Trophy Junior Team Match.

Thomas, an experienced marksman who recently earned a spot on the U.S. National Rifle Team, provided an extra level of comfort for Kacie, who is an exceptional but less experienced competitor. 

“It was a really great experience because Thomas is a really great shooter but also my brother, so it was less stressful for me. He has a calming personality,” Kacie said. 

Adding their names to the Freedom’s Fire Trophy was an honor for both. 

“Who doesn’t want their name on a national championship trophy?” Thomas said. “It reflects the hard work we put into it.”

Because this was the first time Kacie’s name has been inscribed on a trophy, it was a poignant match for her. 

“It’s very cool, especially seeing my name next to my brother’s,” she said. 

WI Cheddar Junior Rifle Team also claimed the Minuteman Trophy, as the High Junior Team in the National Trophy Team Match.

Kacie and Thomas joined their teammates Thomas Kirsten, James Lee, Anna Behnke and Casey Hollenbeck to win the Minuteman Trophy for the High Junior Team in the National Trophy Team Match. The team scored 2913-92X (out of 3000 points) and was coached by Kaleb Hall. WI Cheddar finished as the second junior in the National Trophy Infantry Team Match. 

CMP Programs Chief Christie Sewell said the National Trophy Junior Team Match is a favored competition at the National Matches. It encompasses four elements: slow-fire standing and rapid-fire sitting or kneeling from standing at 200 yards, rapid-fire prone from standing at 300 yards and slow-fire prone at 600 yards. 

Over 50 junior teams participated in the National Trophy Junior Team Match at Camp Perry.
Over 50 junior teams participated in the National Trophy Junior Team Match at Camp Perry.
A junior from the Illinois Junior Highpower team takes a shot from the sitting position.
A junior from the Illinois Junior Highpower team takes a shot from the sitting position.

“It’s one of the most popular because it’s teams that compete. There are 3,500 CMP shooting clubs across the U.S., and the teams that come here represent those clubs and their state associations,” Sewell said. 

The match is distinctive at Camp Perry for the unique camaraderie it inspires. 

“What’s really neat about the match is so many people that shoot here, including military personnel and elite competitors, will help. They’ll coach the junior competitors and work in the pits,” Sewell said. “It’s really special because people want the junior competitors to have a great time. It’s pretty amazing how many people help with this match.” 

The match began under sunny but windy conditions, and Sewell watched as a storm moved into Camp Perry, with strong wind developing into an impediment for the competitors. Lightning forced match officials to postpone the 300 and 600-yard competitions, but not before the wind played havoc with the competitors during the standing stage. 

A junior smiles between shots during the National Trophy Junior Team Match.
A junior smiles between shots during the National Trophy Junior Team Match.

“The wind conditions during standing made the skilled shooters rise to the top,” Sewell said. “You really have to focus on conditions, and they powered through the wind.” 

Seventeen-year-old Drake Johnson of Texas was one of the competitors challenged by the wind. 

“It was pushing us around. You had to catch your shot before it moved you,” Drake said as he walked off the range after the storm delay. “But, so far, the match has been pretty fun.” 

Fun defines the match. 

A junior from Texas taking a shot on Viale Range. Texas had seven teams participate in the match.
A junior from Texas taking a shot on Viale Range. Texas had seven teams participate in the match.

“We get to spend time with people on our team, and we get to shoot with friends from different states,” said AJ Garner, who also shoots for Texas. “We’re having fun.”

One of their coaches, Kristen Morton, said Camp Perry is worth the long trip from Texas. 

“The kids enjoy it, and I like working with the juniors. It keeps them interested in firearms,” she said. 

Find full results from the 2023 National Trophy Matches at https://ct.thecmp.org/23NMRifleresults. Photos may be viewed at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/f688925206.

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