After weeks of rigorous training and preparation for the Grossmont Shoulder-to-Shoulder JROTC Marksmanship competition, Sept. 30, the ROTC Marksmanship team was faced with abrupt changes to their lineup. Ryan Thomas (12), captain of the marksmanship team, got a concussion just three days prior to the competition and was unable to compete.

The A and B teams are separated by both experience and skill. Sophia Tran (9) and Mia Tran (12) from the B team were in place to step up and compete in their first team competition. Consequently, the B team, who lost two members, was unable to participate. With two B team players put into the roles on the A team, everything changed for the team. At the competition, Westview placed fifth out of seven teams. 

In total, Westview scored 1,783.4 points. For the competition, marksmen are always 10 meters away from the target regardless of the position. On each target sheet, there are 10 targets. 

Marksmen are set up to shoot in three different positions, standing, kneeling and prone, which is laying down on one’s stomach. The individual and team with the highest number of points wins. Despite having anxieties about the team’s last-minute changes, Anuja Jayasundara (11), the assistant team captain, had high praise for Sophia Tran.

“She blew it out of the water,” Jayasundara said. “[It’s] her first year in ROTC [and] first year shooting. She really did amazing.” 

Thomas said that Marksmanship is an incredibly challenging activity.

“Marksmanship is a team of skilled shooters who undergo rigorous training to control their subconscious bodily functions and fire a precision air rifle down to a target that is 10 meters away,” Thomas said. 

The team of marksmen have special skills including incredible hand-eye coordination, great body control, and precision under pressure. 

In order to prepare for shooting at the competition, the team required extensive training in the mornings before school, Thomas said. 

“[We] pay attention to every single little detail,” he said. “Are my feet in the right spot? Are my hands in the right places on the rifle? Is the rifle in the correct position on my shoulder? It’s all about being able to notice and correct the little things.” 

Jayasundara said the practices are self-led and allow the marksmen to recognize what they are doing wrong and make small changes to correct their faults.

At Westview, the marksmanship team is the only group of people authorized to have and shoot rifles on school campuses.

Alexavier Lang-Loveless (11), a B team member, said that marksmanship is a unique experience filled with great friendships and bonds.

“The attention to detail to almost achieve perfection with our team,” Lang-Loveless said. “We are able to joke around and get closer as marksmen and as friends when we shoot and practice together. Specifically the small tight-knit family environment. There are only so few things in this world like that.”

The team has three more competitions before the end of the season. 

“There are things that we need to work on, [like] having people understand that it is a team and it is something that you can get recruited and recognized for,” Lang-Loveless said. “You have to show up [for the team.]”

Lang-Loveless said that marksmanship is unlike nothing else he has experienced.

“Marksmanship is unique because it is one of few sports that is more technique and skills-based than anything else,” he said. “You don’t need to be the strongest, fastest, and biggest person there. You just need to be precise in your shooting.”