AFA's Tom Chandler named All-American
3/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Rifle
March 14, 2011
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. - Air Force Academy senior Tom Chandler was named first-team smallbore and second-team air rifle All-American by the National Rifle Association (NRA) following the 2011 NCAA Rifle Championships hosted by Columbus State. Chandler (Cadet Squadron 23) finished 15th with an aggregate score of 580 in the smallbore three-position (relay 1: 98-98-93-98-96-97) at the NCAA Championships on March 11, in Columbus, Ga.
"Tom had a great career at the Academy and he made it to the championships his final season," said head coach Launi Meili. "It's the most exciting match of the year and he shot just below his average. Of course you'd like to finish on top, but that's realistically where his scores have been and he maintained it."
Chandler is one of four Academy marksmen to earn five or more All-American honors in both weapons, since 1997. The first was Jim Meger, class of 1992 (7) followed by Robin Orth, class of 1996 (6); Daniel Pempel, class of 1997 (5); Chandler, class of 2011 (5).
Chandler (Waco, Texas, formally of Oak Harbor, Wash.) qualified for the national championship at the NCAA Qualifiers Match in February with a 580 in the smallbore. This is Chandler's fifth All-American honor for his Academy career. He concludes his athletic competitive-shooting career with a career high 589 in smallbore and 595 in air rifle. His career-high aggregate is 1747, which came at the 2008 Olympic Air Trials (581, 581, and 585).
Career Statistics:
Smallbore Avg. - 575.20
Air Rifle Avg. - 583.81
Career Bests:
Smallbore - 589 vs. Nebraska (10/23/10)
Air Rifle - 595 at Spring Air Gun (2/27/10)
