Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I live in Greenville, western Pennsylvania and have been competing in long range shooting for 12 years. I am a Penn State grad with a degree in engineering. I started shooting local matches and backwoods sniper matches in 2010 and then Precision Rifle Series (PRS) in 2013. In 2015 I won the Precision Rifle Series Championship (season points and finale) and I have been ranked top seven in the Precision Rifle Series every year since 2013.

What age were you when you first started shooting?

I started shooting at a young age on the farm. My first rifle was a Remington 700 22–250 that I used to hunt groundhogs with. My grandpa used to take me because I was too young to go by myself and we would walk the fields and usually get half a dozen groundhogs each time we went out.

Who introduced you to shooting?

My dad always hunted and shot skeet, so I was around guns at a young age. When I got into the long range side of things in 2009, I was mainly self-taught through online forums and trial and error testing.

What’s been the most valuable lesson you have learned from shooting?

Shooting and competing can be related to just about anything in life. Hard work and determination will pay off in the end, and to never give up when you think it’s impossible to meet the goal you set for yourself.

Why did you choose to specialize in your discipline?

Long range shooting is different to other shooting sports. There are a lot of variables that go into each stage, or shot. Rifle data, hand loading, environmental aspects such as wind and density altitude. It’s a lot to take in and makes it a challenge.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in shooting competitively?

Don’t sit back and wait until you are ready, jump in and go check out a local match. The quickest way to learn is to get out in the community and watch/ask questions. The people in this sport are great and always willing to help.

Tell us about your competition set up.

My competition set up is as follows:

• Action: Curtis Custom Valor
• Gunsmithing: GA Precision 6mm Dasher
• Barrel: Hawk Hill Custom
• Chassis: Masterpiece Arms
• Scope: Vortex Razor Gen III
• Ammunition: Hand-loaded using Hornady 110gr A-Tip Match bullets

How do you prepare for competitions in terms of training and practice?

Once I confirm my data and my competition rifle is squared away (at least a week prior to the match), I like to get out my 223 practice rifle and do positional drills. This way I am not putting unnecessary rounds through my competition gun, but still get the practice.

What has been your greatest achievement in your shooting career?

Winning the 2015 PRS Championship and season points.

What goals do you have for the future?

I would like to win the Precision Rifle Series again, or win the AG Cup.

How long have you been a Hornady sponsored shooter?

I have been sponsored by Hornady for three years. I love using Hornady products because it’s something I have come to know and trust. It’s one variable I don’t have to question in my setup. Long story short, they make reliable products.