Top Shot competition returns for the fourth year in a row

The Liberty Mountain Gun Club hosted Top Shot, a four-discipline shooting competition, for the fourth year Oct. 20-22.

The four disciplines are archery, pistol, rifle and shotgun. Three stations were erected for participants to visit, with rifle and pistol sharing a field. Competition rules required eye protection for all areas and ear protection everywhere except archery.

For each discipline, competitors had five practice shots and then 25 shots that were scored. As competitors took aim, a staff member accompanied them to keep score and help instruct them.

“By far, my favorite thing is to see some folks come up that have never even shot a firearm,” Bill Crawford, senior director of Campus Recreation, said. “The staff at the range love to teach and introduce folks to the hobby we are fortunate to be employed doing, and helping new folks succeed is the highlight of our whole semester.”

The archery station had targets set up with black circles on them as aiming points. Staff members helped each person personalize the bows to their own preferences.

The pistol and rifle targets consisted of thin steel plates on poles. The plates closest to the shooter were for the pistol, while the farther plates were for the rifle. The staff member listened for a pinging noise of the bullet hitting the metal plate in order to tell if participants hit their targets.

The event staff placed the shotgun station at a separate part of the gun range further up the mountain. At this station, there was a sidewalk in the shape of a semi-circle with other paths through it. 

Competitors stood on the center line and called to the staff member when they readied their firearm. The staff member then pushed a button to release a small orange disk called a clay pigeon, which launched into the air for the competitor to shoot. Because of its bright color, staff members could easily identify if competitors hit the disk, as pieces would come off.

Any current students, faculty or staff at Liberty could enter the event as long as they completed the two-hour General Firearms Safety Course.

Alana Kirby, a professional advisor for the School of Business, Liberty alumna and parent of two Liberty students, won in the women’s division of the previous Top Shot competition.

“My favorite part of the event is the rifle because I am the most consistent at it,” Kirby said. “But it’s fun to see the improvement from last year.” 

“While safety is very strictly monitored, the more social atmosphere allows participants to just come and learn about the facility and shooting sports in general with(out) the rigors that many shooting competitions require,” Crawford said.

Around 40 individuals participated in the Top Shot competition. The top-scoring male and female each won a prize package, which consisted of shooting range personal protective items. 

Students can learn more about the Liberty Mountain Gun Club by visiting their website.

Twitchell is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion