(Photo courtesy West Seattle Totems)
A new round of congratulations today for members of the West Seattle Totems, whose coach Joe Matter shares periodic updates – like this one, including news of state-championship winners and national-level competition ahead:

The West Seattle Totems, the junior rifle team located at West Seattle Stadium, wrapped up a successful December schedule of 4 matches.

The US Army sponsored the Washington State Air Rifle Qualifier in West Seattle, where 19 members of the Totems competed in a 60-shot standing match. Alec Patajo led the field with a 573 out of a possible 600 point to win the state individual championship. The Thunderbirds, consisting of Alec Patajo, Corinne Blair, Casey Iwamoto, and Owen Yeasting, shot a combined score of 2238 to finish 2nd in the state and 11th in the country. Alec will receive an invite to the finals to be held in Ft Benning, Georgia, at the home of the Army Marksmanship Unit. The Thunderbirds missed a team invite by just a few points.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program sponsored the Washington State Three Position Air Rifle Championship, also held in West Seattle. The Thunderbird team won the state title, shooting a 2304 out of a possible 2400 points. The win guarantees an invite to the regional championships to be held in Layton, Utah, in April. The Chiefs, consisting of Sierra Avril, Jack Ellis, Sumner Ames, and Katelynn Brown, shot a 2236 to finish 4th in the event. Alec Patajo shot a 583 to capture the state individual championship.

USA Shooting, the Olympic governing body of the shooting sports, sponsored two matches in December:

The State Champions and top scoring individuals from across the country will be invited to the Olympic Training Center in April to participate in the National Junior Olympic Championships.

The Washington State Junior Olympic Air Rifle Championships were held in Littlerock, Washington. Alec Patajo shot a 573 to win the Men’s Championship. Owen Yeasting shot a 554 to finish 5th. Corinne Blair shot a 374 to finish 5th in the Women’s Championship. Casey Iwamoto shot a 372 to finish 7th. In the team competition, the Thunderbird team of Alec, Casey and Corinne shot an 1126-38 to finish 2nd, losing in a tie break to Capitol City Gold, who shot an 1126-42. The Chief team (Owen Yeasting, Sierra Avril, Jack Ellis) finished 6th with a 1096-27. The Ravens (Katelynn Brown, Katelynn Bacon, Nick Young) shot a 1062-18 to finish 8th and the Wolves (Tanner Venturi, Sumner Ames, Vic Yeasting) shot a 1050-19 to finish 10th.

The Washington State Junior Rifle Championships were held in West Seattle. Alec Patajo shot a 565-19 to win the. Mens Championship. Owen Yeasting shot a 555-20 to finish 3rd in the Men’s Championship. Casey Iwamoto shot a 554-16 to win the Women’s Championship. Corinne Blair shot a 554-12 to finish 2nd. In the team competition, the. Thunderbirds (Alec, Owen, Casey, and Corinne) shot a 2228-67 to win the team competition. The Chiefs (Emma Carey, Nick Young, Sumner Ames, Katelynn Brown) shot a 2138-44 to finish in 3rd place.

Alec Patajo and Casey Iwamoto will receive invites to the National Junior Olympic Championships because of the state championships. Corinne. Blair, Owen Yeasting, Vic Yeasting, and Tanner Venturi shot well and may receive invites as well.

Congrats to the entire club for such a successful December.

Some of the Totems’ upcoming competitions are listed online.