New Program Brings Air Rifle Competition to Missouri Public School Students

by
posted on June 24, 2017
sar-line2.jpg

Have you heard of the Student Air Rifle Program (SAR) yet? Developed by the Missouri Youth Sport Shooting Alliance, this innovative new program has aligned itself with public schools, offering Olympic-style 10 meter standing air rifle competition for school-aged juniors in grades 4 through 12. The use of standardized competition air rifles makes introducing competitive shooting to the next generation of student-athletes a breeze.

Student air rifle program competitor practicing in a Missouri h.s. gymnasium
SAR participants use the Umarex Embark Youth Air Rifle.


The new program is also introducing students to Olympic shooting sports, without the need for expensive equipment. Mike Thiemer, USA Shooting's coach academy director has been working with Jake Hindman, president of SAR for the last three years.

Firing line at second SAR Missouri state tournament
Forty-five student athletes competed at the second-ever Missouri SAR state tournament this past May.


Thiemer explained to SSUSA: “When Jake told me about his plans to bring an air rifle program into the public school system as a classroom activity, I did not think this would happen with so much anti-gun sentiment in school. Jake and his team of volunteers have put together a great program with teacher instructor training, professional-level training materials, air rifles, targets, pellets, funding support, etc. The program is ready to be delivered in any state and school system. It’s absolutely an incredible success story for the shooting sports.”

Basic Air Rifle Instructor class in Missouri
SAR Basic Air Rifle Instructor training class.


Five new Missouri schools will begin SAR programs in the next few months, and the group hopes to expand nationally in the future. SAR also offers Basic Air Rifle Instructor courses for coaches, parents and teachers interested in conducting matches at their own schools.

For more information visit: www.studentairrifleprogram.org.

Latest

2025 Mid Atlantic Champ 1
2025 Mid Atlantic Champ 1

Mid-Atlantic Rifle Conference Championship: Mount Aloysius College Ends Inaugural Season With Victory

The 2025 Mid-Atlantic Rifle Conference Overall Aggregate Champion is Mount Aloysius College after the rifle team sweeps air rifle and smallbore.

Rainy Weather Does Not Stop Determined Rifle Shooters: 1975 National Matches

Despite constant downpours, Gary Anderson and Lones Wigger both had title runs at the 1975 National Matches.

Club Records Set During February Burbank Rifle & Revolver Club Rimfire Match

BRRC sets club records with February rimfire match.

Best Of SHOT Show 2025: Top Pistols

Here we’ve gathered some of the best new handguns that our team discovered during SHOT Show 2025.

2025 Junior CAT Games: USA Shooting Athletes Earn Podium Finishes, Secure Quotas

Junior athletes top event podiums and capture quotas at 2025 Junior CAT Games in Paraguay.

TriStar Arms Raptor II: ‘Reliability And Performance Without Compromising Value’

TriStar Arms introduces all-new Raptor II semi-automatic shotgun.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.