As we'll attempt to do every week, Reality Shots caught up with Top Shot contestant Athena Lee to get her reaction to being the second shooter (and first woman) eliminated from the show. Before we go any further, we'd just like to commend her for going full auto on the Thompson submachine gun during the elimination challenge. Athena, you certainly went out with a bang.

AR: What did you make of the overall experience of Top Shot? Do you have any regrets (apart from not winning)?

Athena Lee: Despite not being in the show for very long, my overall experience was good. I met 15 incredibly talented people from all over the country who shared my passion for shooting. This definitely was a once in a lifetime experience that I do not regret doing. My only regret is not having time to prepare myself by practicing with guns that I was not familiar with.

AR: What was your reaction to being picked last when the red and blue teams were originally formed?

AL: I certainly wasn't excited about being picked last. The rational part of me was thinking, "These people don't know what I do." So I just sucked it up and hoped that I could prove myself to these people.

AR: When did you start shooting? Who took you to the range for the first time and how old were you?

AL: I am a competitive IPSC/USPSA shooter. This is my 20th year competing in the Open Division. My dad brought me to the shooting range with him a few weeks before my 13th birthday.

AR: How do you think you performed in the team challenges? Do you think you are a better shooter than your performance on the show indicated?

AL: Well, not hitting a single thing on the team challenge definitely crushed my soul. I went into this competition thinking that as long as I follow the fundamentals of shooting (sight alignment, trigger control, etc.), it wouldn't matter what gun was presented to us. I'm used to shooting with a camera behind me and crowds of people watching so I didn't think it was going to be a big deal but when you go to the line with guns that you barely have time to practice with or none at all (first challenge), that throws you off quite a bit. I know I am a better shooter than what my performance on the show indicated. You don't win two IPSC world championships by missing all your targets. I don't mind losing or failing because I know that only makes me a better competitor but to failboat two challenges in front of millions of people is very disheartening.

AR: Did the paintball aspect of the team challenge effect the way you performed? Were you tired or anxious when you got the Colt revolver?

AL: The physical aspect of the paintball challenge did not affect me at all. I am used to going on full sprints and stopping abruptly and engage targets. The only thing I stressed about was the debate in my head whether to shoot the Colt revolver single action or double action. Earlier at practice, I tried it both ways and found that I shot better in double action. How? I will never know but I think it was that inner argument that brought about my missing those targets. As any competitive shooter would attest, once those voices in your head start arguing, you're pretty much toast.

AR: In that light, why do you think you were nominated?

AL: Simply, I didn't perform. I'm supposed to be a pistol shooter and I didn't hit a thing.

AR: Had you ever fired full-auto firearms before the Thompson?

AL: Never. I've seen the Thompson in movies and I've always wanted to shoot one because it just looks so cool.

AR: Being one of two women on the show, did you see any difference in the way you (and Maggie) were treated by the men? What were some of the differences in terms of accommodations, living space, conversations, etc. between you and Maggie and you and the male participants?

AL: The guys treated us very well. They were all gentlemen and were like brothers. Maggie and I shared a room in an extended part of the house. As for conversations, etc., it was like family.

AR: What are your thoughts on the significance of Top Shot when it comes to exposing the public to shooting and allowing the normal person to see firearms in a different light?

AL: When I first saw Top Shot, it made me happy. I love to promote shooting as a sport and emphasizing that guns aren't things you should be afraid of. I like how Top Shot encourages  shooting. I've heard so many feedback from people who never shot before wanting to go try shooting because it looked like FUN on TV. There are many schools of thought when it comes to shooting and I'm more into the sporting aspect of it. It's a great skill to have!

AR: Would you do this whole thing over again? Why or why not?

AL: Only if I was casted with this Season's Cast. I can't imagine being with any other group of people. We have a lot of GREAT people from the military who definitely represented their respective branches very well. I can honestly say that I am glad we have these people protecting our country.

AR: Who is your pick to win this season? Why?

AL: Gosh, that's hard. Of course I'm rooting for Maggie but there are so many talented and well-rounded shooters this season that it is difficult to pick!

AR: We've also polled our readers for questions. Here are the two best:

@EnBloc via Twitter: What did you do to prepare for the Top Shot competitions before you went on the show?

AL: Unfortunately (and regrettably), I didn't have time to prepare for the show because shooting season was in full swing prior to filming. I had two major matches that I had to attend from the time I got the call that I got into the show and the actual filming. They were crucial matches because I had to make my points so that I can make it into the women's team for the world championships in Greece this year. Though it may not be obvious from my horrible performance on the show, I made it into the women's team and I can't wait to get back into training so that we can win another gold medal in Greece!
 
Dan Kemp via Facebook: Do you think it was a good idea to go full auto on the Thompson in the final challenge, after you were already having a hard time controlling it?

AL: How can you NOT go full-auto when you have a Thompson in your hands?? Joking aside, I was exhausted from the practice sessions. I could hardly see my target once we started our elimination challenge because of the smoke. I don't know how I got the strength to shoot the elimination match but I can definitely say I was running on pure adrenaline. I'm not a quitter but I am logical. I could feel everything was stacked against me because I could hardly see my target through the bursts that I was doing, I was tired, the trigger was long and heavy (I used two fingers to pull)...Once your body is tired, the mind follows. So I reloaded after that and just went full-auto (And boy, did it feel good!).