Pascagoula edges West Valley by less than a point as skill-based pairings debut in Week 3

The 2025 National Sporter Air Rifle League entered the first week of skill-based matchups, the third of an eight-week regular season that feeds a postseason for the top teams. The national circuit features high school programs and junior rifle clubs competing in three-position, 30-shot decimal-scored matches, with team totals drawn from the top four athletes. With the Champions Division sending eight teams to the postseason and the Distinguished and Elite divisions qualifying the top two from each conference, Week 3 produced a slate of tight finishes and high totals.

At the top, Fontana MCJROTC and Palm Bay MCJROTC both advanced to 3-0, Fontana turning back North Brunswick AJROTC in a high-scoring contest and Palm Bay separating late from Trigger Time 4-H Shooting Education Club. Pascagoula NJROTC remained unbeaten in a one-shot affair against West Valley MCJROTC to hold third, Zion Benton NJROTC climbed to No. 4 after dispatching Mountain View MCJROTC, and Walton County Air Rifle held its position at fifth following a bye.

Top Ten Ranking

1. Fontana MCJROTC (Fontana, CA), 3-0
2. Palm Bay MCJROTC (Melbourne, FL), 3-0
3. Pascagoula NJROTC (Pascagoula, MS), 2-0
4. Zion Benton NJROTC (Zion, IL), 2-1
5. Walton County Air Rifle (Monroe, GA), 2-0
6. North Brunswick AJROTC (Leland, NC), 2-1
7. Pacific MCJROTC (Pacific, MO), 2-0
8. West Valley MCJROTC (Fairbanks, AK), 2-1
9. Ramona NJROTC (Ramona, CA), 2-0
10. Norview NJROTC (Norfolk, VA), 2-1

Most Exciting Games

Pascagoula NJROTC 1148.1, West Valley MCJROTC 1147.3 — One of the week’s closest results came down to less than a point. Pascagoula held narrow cushions at each stage—up 2.6 after kneeling and 1.7 after prone—then kept a 0.8-point edge through standing. Kyley Lusby led Pascagoula with a 290.0, while Katie Ojaniemi posted 288.9 for West Valley.

Mariner AJROTC 1110.2, Grove City NJROTC 1081.3 — Grove City opened in front by 4.7 after kneeling before Mariner took command in prone and widened the separation in standing to close out a 28.9-point final margin. Elyssa Vazquez paced Mariner at 292.3; Caleb Griffin led Grove City with 277.7.

Space Coast SFJROTC 1104.8, Austin E Lathrop AJROTC 1100.9 — The advantage swung throughout. Space Coast led by 0.6 after kneeling, Austin E Lathrop moved ahead by 1.7 in prone, and Space Coast finished strong in standing to secure a 3.9-point win. Mason Eaton topped Space Coast with 285.9, and Fox Neuhaus registered 289.8 for Austin E Lathrop.

Marksmen Standout Performances

• Miguel Gonzalez, North Brunswick AJROTC — 297.9; delivered his total in North Brunswick AJROTC’s 1150.1-1166.3 loss against Fontana MCJROTC.
• Alexandra Orr, Lafayette Gun Club — 295.0; led Lafayette Gun Club in a 1096.4-962.7 win over Haughton AFJROTC.
• Angel Posada, Fontana MCJROTC — 294.5; powered Fontana MCJROTC’s 1166.3-1150.1 victory against North Brunswick AJROTC.
• Lacy Pulkkinen, Palm Bay MCJROTC — 292.1; paced Palm Bay MCJROTC in a 1154.9-1109.8 decision over Trigger Time 4-H Shooting Education Club.
• Emmett Funkhouser, West Valley AJROTC — 292.1; starred in West Valley AJROTC’s 1130.6-1074.4 win against MSYESS.

Week 4 highlights include several ranked pairings: No. 1 Fontana MCJROTC draws No. 8 West Valley MCJROTC, and No. 2 Palm Bay MCJROTC meets No. 15 Mountain View MCJROTC. In the NJROTC & CGJROTC conference, No. 3 Pascagoula NJROTC faces No. 10 Norview NJROTC, and No. 4 Zion Benton NJROTC lines up against No. 9 Ramona NJROTC.

This press release was partially generated by artificial intelligence maintained by Scopos LLC.