Summer Games: The Shoot-Off

Based on the results from the Three-Position Match, the top six competitors qualify to compete in an Olympic-Style shoot-off.

The shoot-off is fun because each shot is announced and each competitor knows his standing throughout the ten-shot match.

Our oldest was the top qualifier and, once again, felt the pressure. One common mistake in shooting is when a competitor cross-fires. This means that he shoots on the target of someone next to him (mistaking it for his own target). This may seem like a no-brainer, but it happens all the time, even at the Olympics.

Our oldest began the shoot-off with a cross-fire (which means he received a big fat zero!) He was a bit rattled, but settled down and quickly got right back into it. Over the next nine shots he fought his way from last place back to the top three.


His teammate Riley won.

Our oldest ended up winning the bronze medal and came short of tying for the silver by one point. He said of all the medals he won at Summer Games this year that one meant the most to him because he had to really work hard and mentally stay tough in a bad situation. He gained a lot of experience and it was fun to watch!

Summer Games: Three Position Match

The second day of competition we awoke to cloudy skies and temperatures in the fifties.Fifties is cold with a bit of a breeze!

The boys were grateful for once (because usually it is sweaty and hot) for their precision gear. It helped them stay warm.

The three position match begins with prone position,

followed by standing,

and finally kneeling.

While the boys were out braving the cold, the younger ones enjoyed "The Tooth Fairy" inside the trailer.

At the end of the match our 12-year-old captured the silver medal in the sub-junior category.

And our oldest won the gold!

Summer Games: Air Rifle Match

After a quick lunch we jumped in the truck and headed 15 miles north to the Air Rifle Match.

A few of the kids totally zonked on the way there!

But soon they were wide awake and ready for the match.


Our oldest is the defending champ from last year and was feeling a little pressure. However from last year to this year he has improved so much, he felt pretty confident that if he shot well, he could get it done.

Air Rifle is pretty tough. The targets they shoot at are very small and require a lot of precise shooting. The first year our second oldest shot at Summer Games he couldn't finish the match because his arms got so tired that he couldn't go on...he was only nine years old, but he has really come a long way in three years!

We got a fun treat when my sister and her cute family showed up to cheer on our boys. We had a really fun visit.

And the cousins got lots of playing time outside on the lawn.

New this year to the Air Rifle Match was an Olympic-style shoot-off for the top six competitors.

Our oldest competed as the top qualifier...there is a bit of added pressure which caused him to falter on his first of ten shots (he shot a four), but he fought his way back with some very solid shooting to win the silver medal.

Medals were given the following day. Our oldest won the Gold Medal in the Air Rifle overall.

And our 12-year-old continued his streak of golds by winning the sub-junior category.

Summer Games: Sporter Rifle Match

The second match of Summer Games was the Sporter Rifle Match. Don't for a second think that the rest of us weren't having fun!

My hubby loves the shooting sports! He was definitely in his element and really enjoyed being able to help with the matches.

Our daughter has recently gotten into bracelet making. I think she made bracelets for almost everyone there...well, her favorites anyway.


Our youngest has "asking" (a.k.a. begging) down to an art. He comes up with all kinds of treats and treasures. All the kids had plenty of friends to play with.

The sporter rifle match is different from the others because they don't shoot precision rifles and they aren't allowed to wear any of the precision gear...they basically wear what they would if they were out hunting...thus the sporter rifle match.

The wind was very blustery and it started to get hot out, but the shooting kept going!

One of our favorite parts about Summer Games is the chance for our boys to rub shoulders with some of Utah's finest riflemen. They really are fantastic role-models and I'm glad that my boys take any advice they are given very seriously.

Soon the match was over, the targets were scored (I helped score this year), and the results were announced.

Our oldest took the silver medal in the overall.

And once again, our 12-year-old won the gold medal in the sub-junior category.

Summer Games : English Match

The first day of competition began with the English match.

It's an all prone match that involves a lot of patience and expertise at reading the wind.

The boys were excited to begin,




so was their father, who ran this match so that the boys' coach could compete in it too.




The boys both shot very well.

A great start to the day!

Our oldest won the bronze in the overall.

And our 12-year-old won the gold in the sub-junior category. This was just the beginning to our first day of competition! We still had two matches to go: our day at the range began at 6:30 am. and competition ended around 10:00 p.m. that night. Needless to say, we fell into bed and didn't roll over once all night!

Summer Games Part I

Our trip down to Cedar City for the Utah Summer Games was a blast this year, as always!

However, our experience this year was a little different than in past years because we decided to rent an r.v. and camp at the outdoor range with all our friends.

This year we enjoyed indoor lunch eating,

a little movie watching on some lazy mornings,

Several games of capture the flag in cowboy town (pistol range).

Lots of lizard hunting,

and rabbit hunting,

and lizard catching by the little boys,

plenty of outdoor grillin'!

Food always tastes better outside...never before has regular old taco soup been eaten with as much appreciation!

We've decided we really enjoy the convenience of an r.v. right at the competition! It definitely helps when encountering last minute projects,

or dusty, stinky, dirty children! Check out the dirt that was left after a round of showers.

The biggest convenience was that we didn't have to wake up at the break of dawn to be at the range at 6:45. We simply rolled out of bed about 6:30 and let the little ones keep snoring.

We enjoyed an early morning sighting of a mother turkey and her four poults. (Kind of hard to see, but they are there!)

The icing on the cake: the breath-taking sunsets we enjoyed each evening!

They were heavenly! We are all in agreement that r.v. travel/camping is the way to experience Summer Games! We are already planning next year!