The crack of air rifles and the focused silence of elite athletes filled the Shooting Sports Education Center (SSEC) in Statesboro from Monday, June 2, to Saturday, June 7, 2025, as it hosted the highly anticipated Elite Precision Rifle Academy.
This intensive camp drew precision shooting talent from across the globe, offering unparalleled training under the guidance of Olympians and top collegiate coaches.
The academy was divided into two distinct disciplines: Smallbore, a .22 caliber rifle, and Air Rifle. For two days, participants honed their skills in the challenging kneeling, standing, and prone positions for smallbore. The latter three days were dedicated to air rifle, focusing exclusively on the demanding standing position.
Many athletes, like 17-year-old Victoria McClung from Bossier City, Louisiana, participated in both, demonstrating the incredible dedication required for this sport. McClung, who has competed internationally in Finland and Canada, exemplifies the level of talent attracted to the academy. Her father, Michael McClung, shared that for many, like his daughter, precision shooting is a lifestyle, often requiring extensive travel for competitions and collegiate recruitment.
The coaching staff at the Elite Precision Rifle Academy is truly exceptional, which attracts these premier sharpshooters. Georgia Southern University’s Head Women’s Rifle Coach, Soren Butler, led the program alongside collegiate circuit veteran Jeanee Haverhill, and Olympian Lucas Kozeniesky. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Kozeniesky earned a silver medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event and placed 6th individually in the 10m Air Rifle Men's competition.
Cassandra Pelton, Assistant Director at the SSEC and a USA Archery Level 4 NTS Coach, highlighted the unique blend of expertise, noting that athletes ranged from those pursuing collegiate careers to individuals aiming for Olympic or military circuits like West Point. The youngest participant this year was a remarkable 10-year-old, showcasing the sport's accessibility and the impressive skill development at a young age.
"We encourage new people to come into the sport on either side, no matter kind of what their background is or their experiences are," Pelton says. "They have a place here with us, and that could be all the way through the elite level."
McClung noted the significant mental benefits of precision shooting, teaching focus and discipline that extend beyond the range.
"This is the same game they play at the Olympics; this is the same game they play for college scholarships, and that's why it's so important that they start early to learn the skills and the mental management," McClung remarked. "It takes the focus it takes to sit here and shoot, not that black dot. That black dot's the same size as a quarter. They're not shooting at the black dot; they're shooting at George Washington's eyeball on that quarter, and they won't miss it."
He also highlighted the sport's unique inclusivity, where female athletes consistently demonstrate exceptional skill, often outscoring their male counterparts.
The Elite Precision Rifle Academy emphasizes the vital role the Georgia Southern University Shooting Sports Education Center plays in the community. This sprawling 30,000-square-foot complex, a cooperative venture with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, functions as the preeminent center for shooting sports throughout southeast Georgia.
Its comprehensive array of programs—spanning from instructional courses and training sessions to recreational shooting, competitive events, specialized gatherings, and a weekly junior rifle club—welcomes an incredibly broad audience. Whether you're a curious beginner, a seasoned hunter, a member of law enforcement, or an elite athlete striving for the next level, the SSEC offers a well-equipped and inviting environment for anyone passionate about engaging with and excelling in the shooting sports.
For more information about the SSEC, please visit their website.
