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Scherer, Parker and Caruso Qualify for U.S. Olympic Team in Air Rifle
By Mary Beth Vorwerk // USA Shooting // March 4, 2008
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 3, 2008) – The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for Airgun has been determined following the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials- Shooting (Airgun). Stephen Scherer (Billerica, Mass.) and Jason Parker (Omaha, Neb.) qualified for Men’s Air Rifle, while Emily Caruso (Fairfield, Conn.) qualified for the team in Women’s Air Rifle. Rebecca Snyder (Grand Junction, Colo.) and Jason Turner (Rochester, N.Y.) both qualified in pistol.
There are a total of five slots available for air rifle and air pistol on the U.S. Olympic team. There are two slots for Men's Air Rifle and one slot each for Women's Air Rifle, Men's Air Pistol and Women's Air Pistol.
Nineteen-year-old West Point Cadet Scherer earned an Olympic berth today in Men’s Air Rifle by finishing the competition with a total score of 1994.1. U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) member and two-time Olympian Jason Parker (Omaha, Neb.) earned a spot on his third Olympic team by finishing in second place with a final score of 1990.8. Matthew Rawlings (Wharton, Texas) finished in third place with 1989.8. Matthew Emmons (Browns Mills, N.J.) a 2004 Olympic gold medalist finished in fourth place with 1986.1 Emmons has already secured two spots on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Men’s Prone Rifle and Men’s 3 Position Rifle.
In Women’s Air Rifle, 2004 Olympian Emily Caruso (Fairfield, Conn.) qualified for her second Olympic team taking the top spot with a total score of 1397.6.
“I am very excited and happy that all my hard work and training has paid off,” said Caruso. “This competition was difficult with so many girls shooting such high scores, but I stayed focused and accomplished my goal.“
Stephen Scherer’s younger sister Sarah Scherer finished in second place for Women’s Air Rifle with a total score of 1393.3, while Jamie Beyerle (Lebanon, Pa.) finished in third with 1391.7.
Three-time Olympian Snyder earned a berth to her fourth consecutive Olympic team by finishing the competition in first place for Women’s Air Pistol with a total score of 1332.9. Brenda Shinn (Riverside, Calif.) took second place with 1316.1 and 2000 Olympian Christina Cassidy (Colorado Springs, Colo.) finished in third with 1314.1.
In Men’s Air Pistol, 2004 Olympian Turner qualified for the U.S. Olympic team after finishing with a total score of 1935.4. Brian Beaman (Selby, S.D.) took second with 1930.4 and two-time Olympian and USAMU member Szarenski finished right behind Beaman in third place with a score of 1930.1.
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Shooting is a collaborative partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and USA Shooting.
Airgun athletes were selected to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team on the final day of competition by a combination of the match scores from all three days of competition, plus each athlete’s top two finals scores. The USOC has final approval of all U.S. Olympic Team members.
Complete 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Shooting (Airgun) results can be found by visiting www.usashooting.org.
Media interested in more information should contact Mary Beth Vorwerk, Media and Public Relations Manager, USA Shooting, at (719)866-4896 or marybeth.vorwerk@usashooting.org.
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