New and Returning Celebrities to Compete in 2012 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup
OutdoorHub 04.20.12
A group of actors, television personalities, and a world champion shooter will be joining the competition at the 2012 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup taking place May 23-26 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club outside of Columbia, Missouri. Also known as the National Action Pistol Championship, these celebrities will join the best shooters in the world to participate in the quest for “the Cup”.
New to the Bianchi Cup are actors Tim Abell and Mark Christopher Lawrence. Abell, a former Army Ranger, is best known for his roles in films such as Soldier of Fortune and We Were Soldiers. He has also guest starred in popular television series including NCIS, JAG, and CSI New York. Lawrence is most recently known for playing Big Mike on NBC’s Chuck along with films like Terminator 2: Judgment Day and The Pursuit of Happyness.
After making his Bianchi Cup debut in 2011, veteran actor Marshall Teague returns to the competition this year. Teague can be seen in popular films such as Roadhouse, Armageddon, and The Rock as well as the television series Walker Texas Ranger.
“As a very competitive person by nature, I always try to compete with the sharpest competitors for each competitive discipline I am a part of,” said Teague. “The reason I attend year after year is because when it comes to competitive pistol shooting, the MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup is the Razor’s Edge of pistol competition.”
Returning for a third year of competition is Cowboy Mounted Shooting Champion Kenda Lenseigne. In addition to her National titles, World titles and several world records, Lenseigne is also a two-time Champion of the Colt Celebrity Pro-Am, having bested all other celebrities two years in a row.
Four competitors from the popular History Channel series Top Shot are also returning to the Bianchi Cup in 2012. Season 1 contestants Caleb Giddings of Gun Nuts Media, runner-up Chris Cerino, and winner Iain Harrison will return to the competition along with Season 2 contestant and USPSA Champion Maggie Reese. New for 2012 is USPSA Grand Master Cliff Walsh from Season 3.
Also returning to the Bianchi Cup last year’s Women’s Champion Jessie Duff. A well-known name in the action shooting community, Jessie is the co-host of Friends of NRA TV. She will compete alongside her co-host and husband Matt Duff. A retired Major League Baseball player, Matt makes his competition debut in 2012.
In addition to the regular course of fire, these stars will compete in the Colt Celebrity Pro-Am Event on Saturday, May 26th. Spectators are welcome to come and watch the Pro-Am, but please bring eye and ear protection.
For more information on the 2012 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup, or the NRA Action Shooting Program, contact Damien Orsinger at 703-267-1478 or bianchicup@nrahq.org.
