From the Shooting Sports USA archives: an article profiling six women—Julie Golob, Jessie Harrison, Randi Rogers, Kay Miculek, Janae Sarabia and Maggie Reese—who were competitors at the 2010 Steel Challenge World Speed Shooting Championship held in Piru, California. As published in the July 2010 issue.
Steel Magnolias
By NRA Staff
The 1989 movie Steel Magnolias was about a group of southern women in Louisiana. The title suggests the women characters were as delicate as magnolias, but as tough as steel. So it is with these 2010 Steel Challenge World Speed Shooting Champions in Piru, California.
(Note: some of the women profiled here have changed sponsorships or their preferred firearm since this article was originally published back in 2010—Ed.)
Julie Golob
Shooting Roots: I started my shooting career taping targets and picking up brass as a young girl with my Dad. Working at these matches, I saw some of the best shooters in the world compete. It wasn’t long before I wanted to give it a try. Once I began shooting, I knew I wanted to be a champion, too. I was recruited from high school to shoot for the U.S. Army Action Shooting Team.
Main Gun: I compete in a variety of shooting sports and divisions that feature stock guns that you can purchase at your local gun shop, to highly customized open race guns. Because I shoot for Smith & Wesson, I have many options to choose from in caliber and type, both semi-automatics and revolvers. I love the challenge of shooting them all and testing my skills in competition.
Hobbies: While not really a hobby, I love being a mom. I also enjoy photography, reading, writing and doing what I can to get more women inspired to shoot. As a co-founder of Women of USPSA, I believe it’s very important to celebrate the women in shooting sports and to encourage others to give it a try.
Comments: Ladies, get out there and give shooting a try. There is a shooting sport everyone can enjoy, whether it’s accuracy-based competition or fast-paced action shooting.
Jessie Harrison
Shooting Roots: I started shooting in cowboy action shooting, then progressed to USPSA, Steel Challenge, Multi-gun and Bianchi Cup.
Main Gun: I compete in a number of different divisions, which includes many guns and calibers. With multiple National and World Champion titles in all divisions, I’d be hard pressed to pick one gun.
Hobbies: Competitive shooting, hunting, aviation, horseback riding, traveling and just about anything outdoors.
Comments: Let your fears go, and just enjoy it. There is a discipline that suits every shooter’s interests—don’t be afraid to find yours.
Randi Rogers
Shooting Roots: I started shooting when I was 12 when my grandfather taught me how to shoot in Cowboy Action. By 18, I was shooting other events.
Hobbies: I like to be outdoors, workout, read and bowl.
Comments: Shooting is a great sport for women and for families. It is one of the few sports where our smaller size does not handicap us. It is an excellent way to meet new friends and a great way to spend time as a family if you have older children. In my opinion, women will be what saves shooting sports and our gun rights—we need to get as many women involved as possible.
Kay Miculek
Shooting Roots: My father, Jim Clark, Sr., was a champion Bullseye shooter and custom gunsmith. He was also my hero. Following in his footsteps was as natural as breathing. I’ve been involved in some type of shooting sport since I was six years old. I started with NRA 3-Position rifle competitions and was the only woman on my high school rifle team. I also shot High Power Silhouette competitions for several years during my college years. I have been competing in the Action Handgun and Three-Gun sports since 1990.
Main Gun: I have a strong preference for 1911-style handguns and have been most successful competing in the Open division, which allows me to use a red-dot sight. I also compete in Three-Gun competitions where I prefer the Smith & Wesson M&P15 rifle and a Remington 11-87 shotgun.
Hobbies: I enjoy hunting, especially bird hunting. I love to travel to new places and do new things. I get together with several friends each year and we try to do some activity that gets us outside of our comfort zone. These activities have included tandem parachuting, hang gliding, an explosives class and dog sledding. We’re game for any activity that gets the adrenaline flowing but has minimal chance of putting us in the hospital.
Comments: I spend much of my time introducing new women shooters to the action-shooting sports through the “Babes with Bullets” action-shooting camps. Most women are reluctant to jump right into competition shooting without receiving some type of firearms training. The hardest part is taking that first step. A great place to start your training is with a basic NRA Safety and Marksmanship class. Once you have the safety and basic techniques down, you can pursue more advanced training geared towards a specific shooting sport. I encourage every woman to give it a try.
Janae Sarabia
Shooting Roots: I started shooting at 10 because of my Dad, who is a Master USPSA shooter. I also knew I wanted to shoot, because as a little girl, I watched my older sisters and my Dad dry-firing around the house.
Main Gun: .38 Super 1911, with SV frame, Caspian slide, Scheumann Barrel and C-More Sight.
Hobbies: Biking, fishing and other outdoor activities.
Comments: To all the women out there, don’t be afraid to try this sport. It is a great way to develop self-confidence, and to learn how to operate firearms safely.
Maggie Reese
Shooting Roots: I started shooting around 18 years old when my dad took me out (against my will). I’ve loved it ever since.
Main Gun: STI chambered in .38 Super Comp.
Hobbies: My other hobbies include traveling. I just returned from a two-week safari in Africa.
Comments: Right before I left for Africa, I was a guest instructor at a “Babes with Bullets” shooting camp at Kay Miculek’s home range. We had 32 new lady shooters, some of whom had never held a gun before our camp. I love working with new shooters, especially women.
To learn more about NRA Women’s Programs, go to explore.nra.org/interests/womens-interests. In addition, be sure to visit nrawomen.com.
