National title for West Seattle Thunderbirds riflery team

As reported here last month, there’s a youth sport here in West Seattle that hasn’t gotten as much buzz as field sports like soccer and baseball, but has athletes achieving big things: Riflery. Tonight, we have an update from coach Joe Matter on a team that’s just gotten word of major national success, and will be off to a championship event later this month:

The West Seattle Thunderbirds have had a busy junior season. These four girls: 9th Graders Lily Voynick, Corinne Blair, Juniors Emma Carey and Lauren Phillips, are one of only a few all girl teams competing nationally.

These girls won the NRA National Junior Sectional – Indoor Conventional Position Smallbore Rifle team title, shooting an 1573/1600. Lily Voynick placed 2nd with a 398/400. They are also awaiting confirmation of breaking the National Women’s Team record for metallic sights, last set in 1969.

They further went on to win their age group, Intermediate Junior, and finish 4th overall in the NRA National Junior Sectional – Precision Air Rifle Position team competition. Lily Voynick finished 11th in the Intermediate Junior Division, shooting a 581/600.

And finally, they took 2nd in the Intermediate Junior division of the NRA National Junior Sectional – Indoor Metric Position Smallbore Rifle, shooting a 2203/2400. Lauren Phillips led the team with a 566/600 and finished 6th in the Intermediate Junior division and 15th overall. They are also awaiting confirmation of 2 more National records: The Intermediate Junior Team Record and the Women’s Team Record in this event.

The team is heading south to Anniston, AL to compete in the NRA Jr. 3P Air Gun Championships and the CMP 3P Air Rifle Championships at the end of June.

9 Replies to "National title for West Seattle Thunderbirds riflery team"

  • Harold Reems June 13, 2012 (7:29 pm)

    Nice work and good luck in Anniston!

  • lslader June 13, 2012 (8:49 pm)

    Cool! My son’s Gpa has taught him to shoot. Is there a “male” team”?

  • Silly Goose June 13, 2012 (8:52 pm)

    Congrats girls, I think it is fantastic that you are so skilled at a sport that has long be thought to be a man’s sport!! Way to go in proving that one wrong!! Good Luck at Nationals.

  • Josh W June 13, 2012 (9:35 pm)

    Way to go!

  • sbre June 14, 2012 (5:47 am)

    Finally some good news about people and firearms.

    As someone who grew up with/using guns of many types, a former member of our military and who now legally owns weapons, this is a very welcomed story.

    Congrats to the kids, their coaches and the families that recognize the values and gun-safety related to teaching kids how to properly use & respect firearms.

  • Jordan June 14, 2012 (7:32 am)

    Congratulations to the team. That is some impressive shooting. Good luck at Nationals.

  • Joe Matter June 14, 2012 (10:27 am)

    Thank you for all the support. I know the kids really appreciate the good thoughts.

    Just to answer one of the posts, these girls are 4 of 22 kids on our roster. Our sport has no gender division until you get to the Olympic and National Development Team levels. Boys and girls compete equally at the youth level and the collegiate level.

  • Machel Spence June 15, 2012 (8:14 pm)

    YAY you girls!!!!!! It’s what India aspires to be someday. So glad you could use the photo Joe…I adore those kids and photographing them!

    • WSB June 15, 2012 (8:26 pm)

      Sorry, didn’t know you’d taken it or we’d have included a credit line, will add – TR

Sorry, comment time is over.