JUN 12th – The Smithfield HS JROTC Rifle Team finished very strong this year led by Junior Captain Nymiar Towns and Senior Summer Fruchey. The team placed first in the Virginia Rifle League (VARL). In April, the team placed 2nd out of 49 teams in the Topeka, Kansas National Postal Match. This match included teams across the US, from Virginia to California. The team retained its #1 AJROTC ranking in Virginia since its inception in SY 2019-2020. This year two marksmen, Nymiar Towns and Summer Fruchey, qualified to compete as individuals at the Northeast Regionals in February. The highlight of the year were the performances of Summer Fruchey and Nymiar Towns in the VARL: Summer earned 2nd best prone marksman, Top kneeling marksman and Top gun overall in the league; Nymiar earned 3rd best in standing, 2nd best in kneeling, and 3rd overall in the league. “Their performances and consistency this year led the team to its success,” said Coach LTC (Ret) Peter Badoian.
Seniors Dalton Fesser and Alora Wooten and sophomore Jaidyn Pettaway rounded out the Varsity team. We would also like to thank the NRA for its generous grant donation for the 5th straight year totaling over $12K, and the Local Special Forces Association for its $2K grant. These grants allowed the program to purchase three more electronic targets and should allow the team to practice much more efficiently this next school year.
Pictured:
The SY23-24 Rifle Team after their First place finish at the Prince George 3x20 invitational
Back Row L-R: Joey Frey, Ryan McEathron, Ryder Swedlund, Summer Fruchey
Front Row L-R: Dalton Fesser, Nymiar Towns, Jaidyn Pettaway, Alora Wooten
Summer Fruchey and Nymiar Towns compete in the kneeling position at the Prince George Invitational.