Virginia Tech Corps Marksmanship Unit Excels at SASP Collegiate Nationals

 

Cadets from the Virginia Tech Corps Marksmanship unit and their coach MGySgt Lance Jones.

The Virginia Tech Corps Marksmanship Unit (VT CMU) recently took multiple podiums and a national championship at the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) Collegiate Nationals. The collegiate championship took place at the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Talladega, Alabama facility. Virginia Tech’s cadets faced off against 15 collegiate teams from across the nation including West Point, University of Arizona, Concordia University, Florida State, Hillsdale College, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Bethel University, and Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.

SASP Collegiate Nationals presents both squad and individual awards, with the VT CMU squads achieving podiums in each of the five disciplines they contested. By comparison, Texas A&M achieved two podiums and West Point was shut out. In individual level awards, Cadet Edward Zhou took 2nd place overall in the Centerfire Pistol Optics division with Cadet Hunter Lambert taking 3rd place overall in Rimfire Pistol Optic Division.

Specifically, the Virginia Tech Cadets placed as follows at the 4-person squad level:

Rimfire Pistol Optic Division (22LR)
• 1st Place – VT Corps Marksmanship Unit
o Cadet Jacob Bush
o Cadet Hunter Lambert
o Cadet Will Nance
o Cadet Lin Ma

Rimfire Pistol Iron Division (22LR)
• 2nd Place – VT Corps Marksmanship Unit
o Cadet Jacob Bush
o Cadet Hunter Lambert
o Cadet Will Nance
o Cadet Lin Ma

Centerfire Pistol Optic Division (9mm)
• 2nd Place – VT Corps Marksmanship Unit
o Cadet Adam Jardines
o Cadet Edward Zhou
o Cadet Mitchell McClure
o Cadet Christopher Campione

Centerfire Pistol Iron Division (9mm)
• 3rd Place – VT Corps Marksmanship Unit
o Cadet Adam Jardines
o Cadet Edward Zhou
o Cadet Mitchell McClure
o Cadet Christopher Campione

Rimfire Rifle Optics Division (22LR)
• 2nd Place – VT Corps Marksmanship Unit
o Cadet Hunter Lambert
o Cadet Cooper Rapp
o Cadet Cole Shackelford
o Cadet Kian Zandipour

The VT CMU Head Coach Master Gunnery Sergeant Lance Jones remarked, “With these results, our cadets have demonstrated both depth of skill in attaining all top three finishes, as well as breadth of skill by doing so across five disciplines. A remarkable achievement when compared with our better funded military school competitors who only fielded squads in one or two disciplines.”

The VT CMU has a MidwayUSA Foundation endowment account and would greatly appreciate any donations to help them establish a firm financial foundation. Donations are tax-deductible – to donate please visit:
Virginia Tech Corps Marksmanship Unit –
https://www.midwayusafoundation.org/team-profile/?id=R18084

The VT Marksmanship Unit will be attending the SIG Relentless Warrior Championship in New Hampshire on April 9th – the first year they are participating in the competition for military cadets.

(Editor's note: Thanks to Eliot Jardines for providing this report)