by Yuleni Romero
Osborne High School’s rifle team is recognized as one of the best, according to its students, because of its many victories at competitions. Really, who hasn’t heard of them? With an outstanding 9-1 record, this season has been very successful. “We’ll probably have like 10 [wins] soon,” says Chief Rodney Fagan, OHS rifle team instructor. “Our rifle team has had a great amount of victories, but the most memorable has to be Westlake.” The Cardinals competed against Westlake several times without success but recently defeated them to ensure a place in the playoffs.
Despite a winning season so far, the rifle team faces many challenges at the start of every season. When beginning competition season, it becomes very hectic as only 10 students are taken to a competition and around 36 students show up for tryouts. During the first few days of tryouts and practice, students see how much work is required and some stop attending. After-school practice lasts four days, and the team shoots on Thursdays.
For those who do not know much about a rifle team, it’s hard to accept that most of the work is mental and involves a lot of concentration. “A person must be really strong mentally,” stated Fagan. If they aren’t, they will only have trouble in this sharp-shooting sport.
Anyone who would like to try out should be prepared for what they are getting themselves into. For example, many think that because they can hunt, they are prepared to be a rifleman. This is not always the case. The team is not just about hunting and shooting. Students must be mentally focused on the fundamentals of what they are going to be doing and what their goal is. “The target is about the size of a quarter,” Fagan emphasized. If you can’t focus, you can’t hit this small target. Although no accidents have occurred, students must be cautious and focused at all times.
For those who are focused, the benefits are endless and most of the members exceed academically. The way they learn to focus and succeed during practice really helps them maintain balance in their daily school routine. For instance, Bernardo Trevino, an OHS senior, made Osborne proud last year by breaking the school’s shooting record. It didn’t stop there; this year he broke his own shooting record. Trevino’s dedication really shows in his outstanding performances.
According to Fagan, the team’s improvement and qualities show their commitment to performing at the highest level. Bernardo Trevino, Jacob Furman, Daniela Berrones, Ceron Hargrove, Roxana Funez, Sonia Martinez, Cory Flowers and Roberto Molin plan to continue their winning spree and perhaps even win the playoffs.
- Volume 4, Issue 1 -
