NRA Foundation Supports Undefeated High School Rifle Team

For a second consecutive undefeated season, the East Stroudsburg High School South Cavalier Rifle Team finished the 2015-16 season with a record of 9-0.  Six team members placed in the top 20 of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Interscholastic Rifle League. 

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Interscholastic Rifle League consists of 10 teams, including East Stroudsburg South. The top three teams in the league—South, Emmaus and Liberty—all moved on to compete at states, held in February in Hellertown, Pa. State competitions are organized and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association and the NRA. 

The NRA Foundation awarded the East Stroudsburg High School South Rifle Team a grant totaling $5,000. “We are very excited about our rifle program,” said team coach Jay Armitage. “I am pleased that the NRA is making an investment in our community. I am fortunate to be able to coach some of the greatest kids in the school.” 

As a team, the Cavaliers fired an outstanding 964 out of 1000 possible points, placing fifth in the state. The team improved from a seventh place finish last season. Unlike most meets, where the team knows its scores and standings immediately, the targets from states took more than 10 days to score following the competition. At the match’s conclusion, an unbiased official had reviewed the targets and guesstimated they had fired a 964. 

“Our team worked very hard over the past three months enduring several hours of practice daily, even practices over the holidays. They are learning that if you put forth the extra effort, you will achieve great rewards. We also wish to recognize Friends of NRA for their generous grant which will be used to provide firearms safety and target shooting sports to more students each and every year,” said team coach Jay Armitage.

“This year the team finished undefeated winning the Northeastern Pennsylvania Rifle League Championship for the second season in a row," said Armitage. "The $5,000 grant we received from The NRA Foundation has greatly contributed to our successes. We are most appreciative of their generosity."