My Olympic Sport

I began rifle shooting at the age of 9 in Woburn, Massachusetts, at the Mass. Rifle Association gun club. I remember taking my first shot in the prone position with the club’s .22 Anschutz rifle and thinking to myself, “This is so cool!” From that point on, I was hooked.

During my teenage years, I tried other sports—soccer was a favorite—but shooting kept calling my name. The shooting sports have provided me with a unique challenge in athletics. Rifle shooting is a special combination of physical precision and mental skill that I hadn’t found in any other sport. It has continually challenged me and, over the years, has taught me life skills with broad application—discipline, focus, and drive, just to name a few. This challenge is what makes shooting such a special sport, unlike any other.

I attended Texas Christian University, where I competed for the TCU NCAA Division I Rifle Team. While there, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and completed the Coordinated Program in Dietetics, which allowed me to become a Registered Dietitian after passing my certification exam.

After graduation, I continued to pursue my athletic career by training at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center while also building my professional career as a Registered Dietitian in wellness. My passion for nutrition, combined with the lessons I’ve learned from shooting, has shaped my belief that the body thrives on balance.

In preparation for the 2014 World Championships, I suffered a significant setback and underwent two back surgeries due to ongoing issues. Despite this challenge, I trusted that God was guiding my journey, and I trained through the following year with the goal of making my second Olympic team for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. That year tested me deeply, and I knew qualifying for the team would be a significant hurdle.

What kept me going was my belief that life is bigger than our individual achievements. I truly believe that life itself is a gift, and everything beyond that is a blessing meant to be shared with others. After a hard-fought journey, I made my second Olympic team and was on my way to Rio.

Competing in the Olympics for a second time was a different experience. I approached it with greater maturity and less wide-eyed awe. I can’t say it was better—just different. I delivered strong performances, including competing in my second Olympic final, where I finished in 8th place.

Just before that final, a range officer made a last-minute decision without proper review and incorrectly required me to change my rifle, even though it had already passed equipment control. While this was frustrating and unfair, it taught me an important lesson: we cannot rely on fairness to define our fulfillment. True fulfillment comes from within and from knowing you’ve had a positive impact on others.

With this mindset, I recognize how blessed I’ve been, and I strive to bless others in return.

After retiring from competition, I pursued health and wellness coaching and am now a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. I have also volunteered with USA Shooting and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee as a board member and committee contributor, giving back to Team USA athletes.

Please follow me on my journey as I continue to pursue my passion for athletics, the shooting sports, and helping others through wellness in the years to come.

Shooting Accomplishments

  • TCU Hall of Fame
  • TCU Pope Boone Athlete of the Year recipient, 2012 & 2013
  • NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Committee award, National Collegiate Athletic Assoc., 2013
  • Mountain West Conference Scholar Athlete Award, 2009-2011
  • Earned 2009-2013 NCAA All-American: First Team Smallbore and First Team Air Rifle, 8 total All-American Awards
  • 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 T.C.U. Women’s Rifle Team MVP

International Results

  • 2016 Olympic Games, finish finals
  • 2016 Bangkok World Cup, finals finish
  • 2010 World Championships in Munich, Germany: Junior World Champions and World Record Team in Smallbore; Junior Individual Silver Medalist in Smallbore
  • 2011 World Cup Changwon, Gold Medalist (Air)
  • 2012 Olympic Games, 7th Place (Air)
  • 2013 USA Shooting National Champion, Women’s Air Rifle
  • 2013 USA National Championship, Bronze Medalist (3 Position)
  • 2014 World Cup USA, Bronze Medalist (3 Position)
  • 2014 Munich World Cup, 7th Place (Air)

National Results

  • Multiple National Record holder
  • Qualified for National Team by taking 2nd at the Beijing Olympic Trials in 2008
  • 2008 National Junior Olympic Championships, Gold Medalist (Air)
  • 2009 National Junior Olympic Championships, Bronze (3 Position), Silver Medalist (Air)
  • 2010 NCAA TCU Rifle Championship Team; 2010 NCAA Individual Smallbore Rifle Champion
  • 2010 National Champion (Air Rifle); Silver Medalist (3 Position)
  • 2012 NCAA TCU Rifle Championship Team; 2012 NCAA Individual Smallbore Rifle Champion
  • 2012 National Champion (Air Rifle); Bronze Medalist (3 Position)
  • 2013 National Champion (Air Rifle); Bronze Medalist (3 Position)

Junior Results

  • 2008 National Junior Olympic Championships, Gold Medalist (Air)
  • 2009 National Junior Olympic Championships, Silver Medalist (Air), Bronze (3 Position)
  • 2010 National Junior Olympic Championships, Gold Medalist (Air), Silver (3 Position)