Air rifle shooters practice for competition

ERIE TOWNSHIP – A group of steel-city kids visited Camp Perry with the hope of capturing a regional championship in air rifle shooting.

The competition will be stiff over the weekend at the Civilian Marksmanship Program as hundreds of shooters vie for a shot to reach the national competition.

Hailing from the greater Pittsburgh area, Joe Grabowski and his team of nine sharp-shooters came to Camp Perry with one goal in mind: to win a national championship like they did in 2013.

"This is our third year shooting. Last year we came up short," he said.

With a laser-focus, the team practices for hours to perfect their craft. Grabowski said in order to compete, team members need to practice two to three times each week.

On Thursday, practice was inside the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center. Grabowski said the Camp Perry facility is one of the biggest shooting centers in the country.

He said practice the day before a weekend competition is integral to getting familiar with the range.

"It's extremely important for first-time shooters," he said about practicing in the same facility as the competition. "Practice gets that nervousness out."

A veteran shooter, Christopher Thomas, 18, uses his practice time to work on his technique.

"I try to fix my position," he said while he shoots from various target heights.

John Paul Grabowski, 17, said the hour practice at the shooting range allows him to try new things and make sure he not varying from his routine.

"I work on my natural aim and try to keep everything the same," he said."

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