Focus, precision and accuracy are all words to describe the mental game that is called riflery. Led by coach Allison Noecker, the Township rifle team practices three times a week and competes in matches twice a week over the winter season.

When asked about what aspects rifle athletes should focus on in order to be successful in matches, coach Noecker emphasized concentration and mental focus.

“Once you get your mental focus off, so do your shots go. Physically, athletes have to get used to holding their muscles for a long period of time,” Noecker said.

Noecker also said that body positioning is constantly a main area of focus, especially during open ranges and tryouts.

According to Noecker and rifle athletes, rifle is a very individualized sport. Scores are independent from athlete to athlete, while simultaneously contributing to the team score. The mental aspect of the sport is completely personalized.

“For getting [the athletes] calm and focused, I suggest they find something that relaxes them. Some shooters like to listen to music, some shooters like to play games, some shooters close their eyes and take a 10 minute catnap, so it really depends on what works best for them,” Noecker said. “A lot of rifle is personalized because every small movement and every small change is going to affect your shot.”

Senior three-year shooter Charlotte Graves spoke about how significant maintaining a high level of focus is for shooters.

“For any bad things that have happened in your day or week, you need to be able to be mentally stable enough to put that aside so that you are not worried about all of these things while down on the line,” Graves said. “You can’t be worried about what’s going on around you; that’s why it’s a non-spectator sport because we really need to focus. Everyone says that rifle is a mental game, and it really is.”

Senior four-year shooter Ella Suydam echoed this sentiment.

“You have to understand that even the slightest movement will throw your shot off, but also not letting that get into your mind, which causes your shot to be off,” Suydam said. “Knowing that you are in control of where your shots are going, but not focusing on it too much to the point where you get into your head and shoot poorly.”

Shooters have 10 shots every time they are down on the line. The maximum score they can shoot is 100 points.

On Friday, Jan. 23, the rifle team hosted a teacher tournament, where 20 teachers competed against each other for the highest points scored out of 40. Learning support teacher Chris Rettew and former rifle coach Tom Rutledge both scored 38 points, winning the competition.

Like many school activities, rifle is also an opportunity for freshmen to find a welcoming community.

“[Rifle] is helpful as a freshman because I get to know more about the school,” freshman Chase Lauer said.

“My favorite part about rifle is improving over time and getting better. The community is very supportive to get information and advice, and I get to know more about the school,” freshman Cameron Lukas said.

Competing as a rifle athlete takes more than holding the gun and hoping for the best. There is a lot of endurance and determination that is put in by these shooters.

“It’s very much about precision and accuracy; it’s about mental discipline and mind with the body,” Noecker said.