Elite Precision Rifle Academy
Session Dates
Tuesday – Saturday
June 18 – 22, 2024
June 18 – 19: Standing Air Rifle
June 20 – 22: Smallbore
Ages
9th – 12th grade and 18-20 competitive athletes*
Registration Deadline
May 27
Registration Fees:
| Standing Air Rifle | Smallbore |
| Commuter: $399 | Commuter: $749 |
| Overnight: $549 | Overnight: $899 |
Our Elite Precision Rifle Academy is designed for advanced shooters.
Campers will stay and dine on the beautiful Georgia Southern University – Statesboro campus. Camp counselors will be current Georgia Southern University Shooting Sports Education Center employees who will provide constant supervision. Campers will meet shooters from across the country and participate in several activities on campus including swimming and rock climbing at the Recreation Activity Center.
Registration
Spots are filled on a first come – first served basis and limited to 18 participants.
Registration Fees
The registration fee includes instruction, camp t-shirt, lunch, snacks and transportation to and from academy activities, as well as to and from the Savannah-Hilton Head International airport (SAV). Resident fees include housing, breakfast, dinner, and evening activities.
Age Group
9th – 12th grade competitive shooters AND 18-20 year old competitive athletes* (non high school athletes must be commuter campers)
Camp Waiver, Insurance & Medical Information
A few weeks leading up to the academy, an email will be sent to you containing the Registration Packet for you to complete. It will include a waiver, medical information, pick-up authorization and camp policies and procedures.
Refund Policy
Parents must provide written electronic notice to the Assistant Director at least 14 days in advance of the camp or academy start date to receive a refund. Refunds will not be considered after the 14 days.
Camp Instructors
Ginny Thrasher
Through process, Ginny has started her career as well as any athlete could dream of, and she is continuing to learn and progress to this day. She is very proud to be able to represent the U.S. overseas and at national competitions as often and well as possible, including winning the very first Gold medal of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. In 2019, she graduated from West Virginia University Summa Cum Laude in Biomedical Engineering, 12 All-American Honors, 2 NCAA Individual Titles, and 2 NCAA Team Titles. Thrasher now resides in Colorado Springs where she is training as a professional athlete to earn her spot on the 2020 Olympic Team. She loves to compete, travel, and do public speaking across the country.
A product of West Springfield High School in Virginia, Thrasher shot for her high school rifle team and club team the Acorns, but her love of shooting first came after hunting with her grandfather. She is the youngest of three children with two older brothers and very supportive parents.
Olympic Highlights
- 2016 Olympian (Gold Medalist Air; 11th Three-Position)
- 2016 Olympic Team Member
Competition Highlights (cont.)
- 2019 USAS National Champion (3P, Prone)
- 2019 Pan American Games Bronze Medalist (3P) and Olympic Quota Winner
- 2018 USAS National Champion (3P), Bronze Medalist (Air)
Competition Highlights (cont.)
- 2017 World Cup USA Finalist (Air, Mixed Team)
- 2016 USAS National Champion (Air), Silver Medalist (3P)
- 2016 USAS Athlete of the Year
- 2016 World Cup Munich (4th Three-Position; 7th Air)
Lucas Kozeniesky
This North Carolina State standout started shooting his freshman year of high school and a year later had already earned a trip to USA Shooting’s National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships, which ultimately motivated him to go shoot in college.
Lucas became the first Wolfpack All-American since 1975 all while earning an individual selection to the NCAA Championships in air rifle. In 2016, he became the first shooter from North Carolina State University to compete at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 where he placed 21st .
Fueled by his 21st place finish in 2016, Lucas has since made major improvements to his training and mental game. He’s committed to sharing those winning values with junior athletes through his shooting consultation business, Team Winning Solutions (TWS). This year alone, over eight athletes from TWS have committed to go shoot in college .
At Olympic Trials Part 2 in February 2020, Lucas tied a World Record and set a new National Record, securing his spot on the Olympic Team and becoming the first Olympic Qualified Athlete for USA Shooting. Since trials, Lucas won his first ISSF World Cup Medal in New Delhi and re-broke his National Record, just two months shy of Tokyo .
Competition Highlights
- 2022 Championships of the Americas, Gold medal in 10m Air Rifle Men’s Team, 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team, and 50m Rifle 3 Position Men’s Team; Bronze, Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Position
- 2022 ISSF World Cup, Changwon, Silver medalist, Men’s 10M Air Rifle
Competition Highlights (cont.)
- 2022 Rifle National Championships, Gold medalist, Men’s 50M Smallbore; Silver medalist, Men’s 10M Air Rifle
- 2022 ISSF World Cup, Rio De Janeiro, Gold medalist, Men’s Air Rifle Team
- 2022 ISSF World Cup, Rio De Janeiro, Bronze medalist, Men’s 50M Smallbore Team
- 2021 ISSF World Cup New Delhi, Gold medalist (Air) (Men’s Team Air)
Competition Highlights (cont.)
- 2021 ISSF World Cup New Delhi, Bronze medalist (Mixed Team Air)
- 2020 Tokyo Olympian, Silver medalist, 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team; 6th, 10m Air Rifle
- 2019 Pan American Games 10m Air Rifle, Gold medalist, 2nd (mixed team air)
Soren Butler
Soren Butler, a two-time All-American at Alaska Fairbanks, was named the head coach of the Georgia Southern rifle program in April of 2022 to leads the Eagles. Butler, who has been a coach at perennial national power West Virginia for the past five seasons, brings a strong background in shooting, technical coaching and administration to Statesboro.
In his first year as the head coach, Butler helped the Eagles improve by almost 42 points in team aggregate average (27 points in smallbore; 15 in air rifle) as they claimed the Southern Conference overall and smallbore titles. As a team, Georgia Southern had its highest ranking in program history.
Additional Information
Facilities
The Academy will be held at the Georgia Southern University’s Shooting Sports Education Center. The facility features two 8-lane, 25-meter firearms ranges, two classrooms and support spaces.
Georgia Southern University
Shooting Sports Education Center (SSEC)
3271 Old Register Road
Statesboro, GA 30458
Housing
Resident campers will stay in one of the outstanding, air-conditioned University Housing facilities on campus. Each camper will have double occupancy room with a community bath. Roommate requests will be accepted. The residence hall clubhouse will have TV’s with video games available for checkout. Campers will be responsible for providing bed linens (Bed size: Twin XL – 80″ mattress), blanket, pillow, towels, toiletries and any other items to make their stay comfortable. The rooms will not be equipped with a television or telephone. Internet access is available in the room with the camper providing their own computer and Ethernet cable.
Meals
For resident campers, a nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided in one of the campus dining facilities. Commuter campers will be provided lunch in the dining facility. Snacks will be provided for all throughout the camp day.
Travel
Campers can be picked up at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV). Prior arrangements must be made with Cassy Pelton
Equipment
Campers will need to bring all necessary shooting equipment to include air rifle, case, air tank adapter, shooting attire and anything else needed for instruction and competition.
Commuter Drop-off/Pick-up
Please see the daily schedule for the drop off and pick up times.
Accommodations
If special or reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact Cassy Pelton in advance to discuss them prior to arrival.
Communication
All information with registered campers will be provided through e-mail to the address provided in the registration materials. Please ensure this address is accurate and that you check it often between registration and the start of camp.
Camp Counselors
Counselors act as a guardian while your child attends camp, as they are around them 24/7. They sleep in the residence hall on the same floor as the campers and don’t go to bed until all campers are in their rooms and accounted for. They wake campers in the morning to make sure they have time to eat breakfast and get to their first session on time. Counselors are in the dining area while campers are dining, and present while campers are in session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear at the camp?
Shooters should prepare accordingly as the range is air-conditioned and maintains a temperature of 72⁰. Comfortable casual wear and hoodie is appropriate for camp. Appropriate shooting attire to include shooting pants, jacket, gloves, boots and base layers/shooting sweater. Each should bring their own shooting mat, roll and sling. Hearing protection is required for all shooters.
May I bring food to the Camp?
Yes you may, but we will provide all meals and snacks for you.
Contact
Cassy Pelton, Assistant Director – Shooting Sports Education Center
Phone: (912) 478-7732
Email: cpelton@georgiasouthern.edu
Camp Schedule
Last updated: 4/23/2024
