NEWBERRY — The Newberry Junior Pistol Club had a successful weekend at Fort Benning at the US Junior Olympic Progressive Position Air Pistol National Championship held July 28 through July 30 and the NRA Air Gun National Championship held July 31.

Taylor Martin and Brianna Kinard competed at the PPP championship and both qualified to compete in the finals. Kinard finished fifth and Martin won the ladies division, earning a slot on the US Junior Olympic Development Squad.

On July 31, the NRA Air Gun Championship was held and it was also open to the adults. It was a fun day of shooting with the teams of the Newberry Junior Pistol Club Old Fish competing along with the Newberry Junior Pistol Club Gold Fish.

The Gold Fish team of Sean Blanton, Brandy Blanton and Taylor Martin finished second and the Old Fish team of Ben Blanton, Alice Blanton and Shawn Martin finished fourth.

This was the first time that the father-daughter Martin pair had competed in a match together and it had been about seven years since all the Blanton family had competed together.

Sean Blanton took first place in the adult division and Taylor Martin took first in the junior intermediate division at the NRA championship.

Anyone interested in helping or participating with the club can contact them via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NewberryJuniorPistolClub/

Taylor Martin won the gold medal at the US Junior Olympic Progressive Position Air Pistol Championship.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Taylor-Martin-Ladies-PPP-Championship-Gold-Medal.jpgTaylor Martin won the gold medal at the US Junior Olympic Progressive Position Air Pistol Championship. Courtesy photos

Taylor Martin, left, and Brianna Kinard competed at the PPP championship and both qualified to compete in the finals. Kinard finished fifth and Martin won the ladies division, earning a slot on the US Junior Olympic Development Squad.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Taylor-MartinBrianna-Kinard.jpgTaylor Martin, left, and Brianna Kinard competed at the PPP championship and both qualified to compete in the finals. Kinard finished fifth and Martin won the ladies division, earning a slot on the US Junior Olympic Development Squad. Courtesy photos

Sean Blanton, left, took first place in the adult division and Taylor Martin took first in the junior intermediate division at the NRA championship.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Sean-BlantonTaylor-Martin-NRA-awards.jpgSean Blanton, left, took first place in the adult division and Taylor Martin took first in the junior intermediate division at the NRA championship. Courtesy photos

Taylor Martin, right, receives the US Junior Olympic Squad jacket from Eric Puepke, assistant national coach for the United States.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Shoot.jpgTaylor Martin, right, receives the US Junior Olympic Squad jacket from Eric Puepke, assistant national coach for the United States. Courtesy photos

The Newberry Junior Pistol Club Old Fish competed along with the Newberry Junior Pistol Club Gold Fish. From the left are Taylor Martin, Ben Blanton, Brandy Blanton, Alice Blanton, Sean Blanton, and Shawn Martin.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Shoot2.jpgThe Newberry Junior Pistol Club Old Fish competed along with the Newberry Junior Pistol Club Gold Fish. From the left are Taylor Martin, Ben Blanton, Brandy Blanton, Alice Blanton, Sean Blanton, and Shawn Martin. Courtesy photos

Coach Sean Martin, left, is shown with Taylor Martin, second from the left, Brianna Kinard, and head coach Ben Blanton.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Shoot3.jpgCoach Sean Martin, left, is shown with Taylor Martin, second from the left, Brianna Kinard, and head coach Ben Blanton. Courtesy photos

Staff Report