Columbia, MO – August 4, 2025 – The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) proudly celebrated the successful revival of the Progressive Position Pistol (PPP) National Championships, held August 1–3 at the Missouri Marksmanship Education Center in Columbia, Missouri. This marks the first time the PPP Championship has been held since 2017—and it returned with precision, passion, and powerful performances.

Over 100 attendees and 48 athletes from across the country competed in Basic Supported, Standing Supported, Mixed, and Open team events, as well as individual finals. The match drew junior competitors from beginner-supported positions all the way to advanced one-handed international-style shooting.

“Bringing the PPP Championship back to life has been a long time coming, and witnessing the sportsmanship, growth, and joy from these young athletes made every moment worth it,” said James Hall, 2020 Olympian and Match Director. “This was more than a match—it was a statement about the future of youth pistol sports.”

Standout performances included:

· Palmyra Young Guns (PA) dominating Basic Supported and earning both team and individual golds

· Rise Jr. Pistol Team (CA) sweeping medals in team and individual events across divisions

· Massachusetts JR Pistol Team and Missouri Junior Shooting Club securing podiums and personal bests

· Scarlett Perkins (Tucson Straight Shooters) earning double gold in the female finals with unmatched poise

In addition to top-tier competition, the event was a celebration of community and remembrance. A moment of silence was held for In Kim, a beloved coach and advocate for the PPP program, whose legacy helped make this championship possible.

The SSSF extends deep gratitude to its partners and sponsors for making this event a success:

· SSSF Founding Partner Sponsors: GLOCK, Ruger

· Sustaining Partner Sponsors: WALKER’S Hearing Protection, Beretta

· Event Sponsors: Missouri Marksmanship Education Center, The X-Count, Peak Performance, 5 Rings Performance, Team Winning Solutions, Megalink USA, Pardini USA.

Special thanks to the core event crew whose leadership brought the championship to life:

· Earl Litherland, Chief Range Officer (15-year PPP veteran)

· Chance Cover, Chief Statistician

· Sarah Hall – Event Planner

· James Hall, Match Director

The National Anthem, beautifully sung by Lucy Howerton, and the crisp acoustics coordinated by Chad Howerton helped elevate the opening of each match day with pride and clarity.

“We are proud to breathe new life into the Progressive Position Pistol program,” said Rick Leach, President and Executive Director. “This event proved that the foundation for youth pistol sports is not only strong—it’s growing.”

Results, event photos, and full match program can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/SSSF2025PPP

For questions, interviews, or media inquiries, please contact: james@mysasp.com 805-727-7477

Congratulations to our winners! The athletes and parents of the top six should be expecting an email from our SSSF Executive Director with more information on the NRA World Shooting Championship within the next few days:

In partnership with Federal Ammunition we will be offering to pay the entries fees for the top 6 Top Gun Challenge competitors to participate in the NRA World Shooting Championship September 30- October 4th!

The event is being held at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Indiana.  Our athletes will have a chance to compete in multiple types of major firearms shooting sports, including pistol, rifle, shotgun, and combined firearm sports. At the end, one competitor will be crowned the undisputed World Shooting Champion.  Thanks to Federal Ammunition, our athletes will have the chance to compete in 12 disciplines. We cannot thank Federal Ammunition enough for their support to give our athletes this great opportunity.

Congratulations to the athletes who made this season’s All-State Teams!

Rifle All State

1^st Place Florida 121.51

Jesse Grant

Raegan Hearn

Carlin Bennett

Dante Wilson

2^nd Place Texas 123.3

Oliva Albertson

Aylin Jones

Timothy Guerrero

Alex Rendon

3^rd Place South Carolina 125.73

BaylorRose Mason

Christian Enloe

Sly Wood

Blake Chambers

All- State Pistol

1^st Place Texas 144.07

Olivia Albertson

Derrick Gray

Timothy Guerrero

James Bryant

2^nd Place South Carolina 162.26

Sly Wood

Griffin Maxwell

Blake Chambers

Brydon Schaub

3^rd Place Wisconsin  190.75

Lucas Opitz

Colton Cammack

Mathew Sauer

Khris Hackbarth

SK Arms 1911 A1 Michaelangelo – M Opitiz, WI

RUGER PC Carbine accessorized by TANDEMKROSS – B. Maether, IL

TIPPMANN ARMS M4-22 SASP RCR 24 – M. Stewart, KS

BROWNING 1911.380 Medallion Pro – R. Campbell, KY

BERETTA APX A1- D. Thompson, MI

Certificate for GLOCK of your choice – M. Bucz, WI

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all that purchased tickets in support of the Scholastic Action Shooting Program. A huge thank you to our sponsors for their support throughout the season and for donating these great prizes!

Presented by RUGER & SCHEELS

Presented by Browning & Beretta

Presented by GLOCK and Fiocchi

Kolar, Elite Shotguns, TANDEMKROSS, Next Level Training

Attention Everyone:

As we all know, parking is a premium at the Cardinal Center. To help with this, a trailer parking lot has been established.

IF trailers/vehicles with trailers are parked in the main parking area, across from the 900s camp sites, around the pool or shower houses and not in the designated area they will be towed at the owner’s expense. Repeated violations will result in you being asked to leave the grounds for the remainder of the competition.

UTVs should not be parked overnight in the main parking areas. Park them by your trailer.

Do not park on camp sites that are not yours.

We appreciate your cooperation.

The Cardinal Center

SCTP

SASP