ANSBACH, Germany (Feb. 5, 2014) -- The Junior ROTC air rifle team from Ansbach High School visited a German marksmanship club, the Schützengesellschaft (SG) Weihenzell, and met members of the German club's youth team in a friendly German-American competition Jan. 29. This was in preparation for the 2013-14 Department of Defense Dependent School-Europe, or DODDS-Europe, marksmanship championships in Wiesbaden Feb. 1.
Both teams conducted a quick internal shoot-off to determine the best two shooters of each team. During the shoot-off German and American participants exchanged experiences and tips and compared their gear.
The four winning shooters, cousins Mia and Stefan Enzner from Weihenzell and Brian Sowders and Kaitlynn Carson from Ansbach High School, competed in the three positions standard for DODDS marksmanship competitions: prone, standing and kneeling.
Stefan Enzner took first place with a total score of 279 points, one point more than Sowders with 278, followed by Carson with 275 and Mia Enzner with 262 points.
The high school team used the fully electronic range in the Weihenzell club, which includes 16 electronic target stands available for regular practice twice a week. Competitions take place on the weekends. A display screen shows target results in the adjoining restaurant where club members meet for a chat and a drink. The electronic target system, while more environmentally friendly than paper targets, also shows the results much faster and allows the shooter to adjust their aim more easily, said club president Klaus Piereth.
"We have been using the electronic targets since 2002 and are very happy with the system," said Piereth.
Piereth said he had seen school children who had a hard time concentrating on school work suddenly receive better grades after practicing the marksmanship for a while.
"They learn to concentrate on the target ahead and shut out distractions around them," he said.
"Other people immediately see their results on the big screen in the other room," continued Piereth. According to Piereth, this helps the shooters gain confidence and prepare them for competitions.
The Weihenzell club has more than 300 members and actively supports youths with intensive training. Several of their teams compete in the Bayernliga, the third highest league level in Germany. One of their members, Sebastian Hahn, has won several European Championships and even the World Championship in Air Rifle Marksmanship.
The club is open for tryout practice to interested shooters Wednesdays and Fridays, starting at 6 p.m.; club members provide coaching to the participants with special emphasis on youth programs. All equipment -- including air rifles, suits and gloves -- is provided by the club. Anybody interested in club membership is welcome to visit during practice nights. The club is located inside the Sportzentrum Weihenzell (Am Sportzentrum 6). To learn more about the club, visit www.sg-weihenzell.de.
The marksmanship team of Ansbach High School won the Eastern Conference and took third place after Patch and Vilseck high schools in the overall championship. JROTC instructor Randy Dolph said he was glad his team was able to practice with the German team in preparation for the championship.
"This is a new experience for them," said Dolph. "It will teach them to adapt to unfamiliar situations as well as allow them to open their horizon by meeting new people."
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