NJROTC Air Rifle Team Wins Big

Emma Mulhall '23

On April 9th, 2022, the Mattituck, Southold, Greenport (MSG) NJROTC Air Rifle team competed against Riverhead High School’s team in a “shoulder-to-shoulder match.” This match would be the most successful in the team's history. For the first time in 48 years the team would win first place. In fact, this is the first year in the unit’s history that the air rifle team has earned a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophy at different competitions.

The Air Rifle Team consists of cadets from all three high schools (Mattituck, Southold, and Greenport) who are picked by the instructors. The team met every other Friday evening or Saturday morning at the Mattituck gun club to shoot three-ten target pages. Each target consists of one bullseye the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen worth ten points. The point values lessen as they move away from the bullseye. Each target page correlates to a different position- prone (laying on your stomach), standing, and kneeling.

The team shooting on April 9th consisted of seven shooters who were picked specifically by Major Grigonis for their shooting abilities. Three of the shooters on April 9th were from Greenport: Emma Mulhall ‘23, Sarahi Rodriguez ‘23, and Nate Stevenson ‘24. Every shooter was awarded a medal and the top three shooters were additionally awarded special UK medals. Among the top three was Nate Stevenson, who achieved an impressive score of 196 out of 300, earning 3rd out of 28. The 1st place trophy was awarded to Emma Mulhall who was the senior ranking cadet present at the competition and is now on display in the Greenport NJROTC classroom.

Major Grigonis was overjoyed with the Air Rifle team this year writing “Well done and what a way to finish a year that started back in September! Kudos to your dedication, teamwork, self-discipline, and camaraderie”.

Congratulations to the MSG NJROTC Air Rifle Team