What disciplines are you currently competing in?

Currently I am competing in the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and Armageddon Gear Cup (AG Cup). Both series are based on hunting, law enforcement and military scenarios. The AG Cup is a very unique series and is in its third year of existence. You have to complete three matches from a very small list across the country, qualify in and then shoot against a stacked field for three days in an elimination style championship. The winner last year took home a $25,000 payday. It’s been very fun competing against the best of the best all year long to see how you stack up. I missed making the final day in 2020 by one miss across four matches. One more hit in any of those four would have had me going on to the final day. The excitement is intense and it’s a blast to be able to see the skill level of the guys that are competing and winning in both the PRS and the AG Cup.

Tell us what you’ve been up to over the past three years

From a professional perspective I have been very busy leading a talented team of sales professionals. I’m very lucky to be able to lead and have such a high caliber team. This has taken a lot of my focus and time over the last three years as we continue to innovate and grow. From a shooting perspective, I actively compete in five-eight national and finale level events a year. It’s been amazing to see the continued increase in not only skill of the shooter but the advancement in the gear, how good everyone and everything is getting. We are doing things today that a decade ago we would have said was impossible or way too hard. Now it’s common place. It’s also been amazing to see the sport continue to explode in growth.

What competitions have you won in that time and which are you most proud of?

Since 2018 I have won one match and had seven top five finishes. I think the thing that I am most proud of is still being competitive. I lead a very busy professional and personal life and rarely practice. So on those weekends where I am fortunate enough to put it all together it makes me very happy to be able to do that. The competition I’m most proud of is my third place finish at the 2019 PRS Finale. It’s great to do well when you are competing against the best of the best.

How has your shooting style changed or improved?

Well as I continue to get older my eyesight is changing. I’m trying to focus more on my follow up to the shot to maximize what I’m seeing. It sucks to get old and I have my first set of readers. With a sport based on what all you can see during the shot so that you can make quick adjustments, you need every advantage you can get. So I think that’s been my biggest change in the last year especially.

Tell us about your current competition set up?

I am lucky to still be representing some of the same brands and the best people in the industry for many years now. I am running an Impact Precision 737 action, Foundation Genesis stock with a Bartlein barrel chambered in 6BR Stuteville Precision and a Jewel trigger. I use a Vortex Optics Gen II Razor mounted in a Spuhr mount. I switch between a brake and a suppressor. I always have a Harris bipod, RRS tripod and a pair of Swarovski 15x binos for spotting, as well as Wiebad wax canvas sand filled fortune cookies or lately the tater tot bag has been my go-to. Finally it all comes together with those Hornady A-Tips. The consistency of those A-Tips, high bc and most importantly the A-Tip “splash” as they hit steel are a game changer.

What are your goals for the future?

I want to keep competing as long as I can be competitive. I’ve been doing this for over a decade and I have seen a lot of great shooters come and go. As long as it’s fun and I’m doing well I’m going to mix it up with the best of the best. I’ve also been a fairly streaky shooter bunching up good finishes and then bunching up some I’m not so proud of. My goal is to get more consistent so if anyone knows the magic bullet for producing consistently then let me know!

What do you think is important to keep our sport alive and what are you doing to encourage this?

Growth, new shooters, new companies participating and again new shooters. I always try to be helpful, maintain a professional composure and not loose my cool no matter how good or bad I’m shooting. I think it’s paramount that we maintain the culture of helping each other out, loaning equipment, sharing wind calls, strategizing on stage approach, etc. This sport is really unique in that everyone is trying to help each other out to do better and yet still push themselves to win. It’s a culture unlike any other sport I have seen. It’s not cutthroat except for a few selfish, bad apples. Those guys tend to work themselves out anyways. Ultimately, we need to be embracing, and helping the new generation of shooters and passing on the knowledge and skills that were passed on to us.

What mental tool do you use under pressure?

I find it humorous that people allow themselves to be under pressure. Except for a handful of people, shooting in the PRS is not their full time job. It’s a hobby. I do it for fun. I don’t have to handle any mental stress with a match because there shouldn’t be any. If you think this sport is stressful, come step into my life and spend a week with me or a bunch of other people and we can introduce you to what real world stress is. I strive to keep it in perspective because if you allow yourself to focus on the outcome and stress, then you aren’t focusing on executing the next shot perfectly.

What challenges did you overcome to get to where you are today?

Life. That’s the biggest challenge. How to handle a demanding professional career and personal life while still enjoying a hobby and a game. The biggest challenge is trying to stay competitive and not being able to devote the time to practice that most of the top guys are devoting to the sport. While I’d love to shoot multiple times a week and compete in 15–20 competitions a year, it’s just not feasible at this season in my life.

What motivates you to continue improving?

I always try to get better and be more competitive. It frustrates me when I am not performing to what I know I can do. I tend to go in spurts where I do really well and where I don’t perform like I want. I am motivated to try and figure that piece out and gain a little more consistency. Also, chasing those W’s. They are hard to come by these days as there are a lot of great shooters today.

Tell us a bit about what else you enjoy doing outside of shooting/competing

I enjoy hunting. There is nothing better than being on a deer stand with my kids. Most of them love to go hunting with me so that is what I really like to do outside of shooting and competing. Instilling the love of the outdoors and the thrill of the hunt into them.