Mowrer and Navy top Free Pistol Championships

On a foggy morning here at the United States Army Marksmanship Unit’s complex on Fort Benning Army Base, shooters took the line to start this year’s NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championships with the Free Pistol.

The Ohio State Pistol Club, last year’s team champion, came into the day hoping to repeat their 2011 performance. But the United States Naval Academy Pistol Team amassed a 13 point lead to take the title with a score of 2,011.

The 2011 individual champion, Nick Mowrer of Pike’s Peak Community College, thoroughly out shot the competition in the opening rounds. Well on his way to another Free Pistol title, Mowrer’s discipline and steady aim allowed him shoot an aggregate score of 553. He was heading into the finals with an almost insurmountable lead of 26 points.

Mowrer built an early lead over the seven other shooters in the Championship round. That’s when a determined Stephen Halsmer of West Point made his move. At the midway point, he stood a mere point away from Mowrer and the 2012 title. But the challenge was short lived as Mowrer rallied with one excellent shot after another — ultimately finishing almost two points ahead of the cadet with a tally of 98.6.

Mowrer’s final score of 651.6 was 36.9 points ahead of his nearest competitor making Mowrer the 2012 NRA Intercollegiate Free Pistol Champion.

Scores below:

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