By Cindy Gladden, Record Staff Writer
Katlyn Branson, 19, and sister McKenzie, 14, of Warrenton, didn’t pick a typical “girlie” hobby as children. Since they were young girls, they would more often pick up some kind of firearm rather than a Barbie doll.Both young ladies have been invited to attend this year’s Junior Olympic competition in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 23. Both will bring their best as precision air pistol competitors.“I shot a muzzleloader when I was 2,” said Katlyn. “Mom would hold our ears while dad helped us pull the trigger while sitting on his lap. Mom wasn’t the gun-shooting kind of person.”Katlyn said her dad, Walter, taught both girls to hunt and to shoot a variety of firearms. Mom, Delanna, has supported both girls throughout their many 4-H projects, including the air pistol, which both girls began at the age of 8.The sisters said they have unique and fond memories of hunting with their dad. McKenzie prefers duck and goose hunting; Katlyn enjoys deer hunting and trapping.“She likes ducks because she’d get very impatient with deer hunting,” said Katlyn about McKenzie. “She needs a quick-paced sport.”McKenzie bragged about Katlyn shooting her biggest buck when she was only 10 years old.“Dad was jealous,” said McKenzie. “It was 10 points and 235 pounds field dressed.”The girls attribute the love of the air pistol to their 4-H experience and competitions up to this point. Thanks to the state 4-H program, the girls have been able to borrow expensive air pistols that would normally cost more than $1,000 and up to $2,500 for a competition pistol.McKenzie said they have a scuba tank at home to load the pistols with compressed air. After 80 shots, the pistol is ready for a reload.The 4-H shooting sports include nine different disciplines — shooting sports safety, archery, air rifle/BB gun, smallbore rifle, air pistol, shotgun, smallbore pistol, muzzleloading and hunting and outdoor skills.Although 4-H has been instrumental in their training, the National Junior Olympics is a separate competition. Sponsored by USA Shooting, the organization asks potential competitors to try out for a spot on the team.In January, both girls traveled to Kansas City to try out for the Olympic team. Just recently they found out they both made it.“Now we have to get some good practicing in,” said McKenzie. “We will probably shoot at least an hour and a half a day.”The standard distance is 10 yards for an air pistol. Coincidentally, the family home’s hallway is just the right distance.“We haven’t put a hole in the wall yet,” said Katlyn. “We have an aluminum pellet trap behind the target that catches everything.”The girls disagree on what percentage of the sport is mental, but they do agree that it is more than 90 percent. They work on perfecting their stance, breathing properly, getting the best grip and following through properly.“We train our brain to forget about the shot we just made,” said Katlyn. “No shot matters but the one we’re getting ready to make.”To strengthen their shooting arms, the sisters place 5-pound weights on their arms for at least 10 seconds at a time as they stand in the one-armed nonsupported side stance.“I’m going to have a lot of nerves at this competition,” said McKenzie. “But I’m gaining confidence.”With more experience under her belt, Katlyn has enjoyed meeting people from all over the nation at past competitions. Unfortunately, Katlyn feels that “women in shooting don’t get the credibility” that people in other sports receive.“My biggest competitor is myself,” said McKenzie. “I’m a better person overall because of it. It gives you something in your heart.”Katlyn said there is a great sense of pride in what she and her sister have accomplished in the sport.Katlyn is currently a sophomore at Missouri State University in Springfield studying agriculture education. McKenzie is a freshman at Warrenton High School.McKenzie, 14, and Katlyn Branson, 19, of Warrenton, will compete at the National Junior Olympics in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 23. Both girls are precision air pistol competitors. They qualified for the team in January. Record photo/ Cindy Gladden.
