Shooter Spotlight: Justin Tracy

The purpose of the “Shooter Spotlight” is to help shooters get to know their fellow competitors a little bit better. We cover a wide range of shooters from “Marksman to Master.” This is the 12th interview in the series.

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Where do you call home?
I call Farmington, NY home (just outside of Rochester) but I grew up (okay, spent my childhood) near Syracuse.

How long have you been shooting?
I started shooting just after high school but that was limited to plinking.  A little after college, when I had money, I got involved in Highpower (’02) but wasn’t all that good.  I really didn’t start to shoot Smallbore (save for one poorly fired match in ’02) until ’04 when I squeezed in two or three matches.  In ’05 I became “serious” about smallbore and essentially stopped shooting Highpower.

How did you get involved in shooting competitively?
Even before I fired a gun I felt like I wanted to be a competitive shooter, mostly due to a picture of a Free Rifle I saw in the Encyclopedia Britannica around the same time I hit puberty.  They also had a description of many different forms of competitive shooting.  All I could do was read about it, and debate what discipline I wanted to do, until after college as my parents had no idea how to get me started and were already paying for flying lessons.  The rest is covered above.

What is a little known fact about yourself that your fellow competitors might not know?
It used to be that I’m a coin collector but I have already been thoroughly ridiculed for that in England this summer so the cat is out of the bag.  Right now I’m trying to teach myself the bagpipes.  That should keep the girls away even better than the coin collecting!

What do you consider your finest shooting achievement.
My finest shooting achievement is actually the entire summer of ’08 prone season as all the work from the previous 3 years came together.  I fired 5 1600’s, won several regionals, got my final leg for Prone Distinguished, made the Robert’s Team, and finished 5th overall at Camp Perry.

What is your favorite pre-match meal?
Mountain Dew and peanut M&M’s.  I fired my first 3 1600’s after this breakfast!

What is your favorite post match drink?
Not sure I have one, but a cold soda is always nice.

Do you have a favorite shooting range?
North End in PA is probably my favorite, with Palmyra PA being close behind.  These are my favorites not only because I think the ranges are nice but because of the people that run the matches and fellow competitors that shoot them.  Shoot the matches that is, not the staff!

Do you have any short term and/or long term goals?
I want to get my 3P Distinguished.  That new double distinguished pin looks pretty nice!

What shooting skill are currently focusing your energy on?
In order to achieve the above I will focus more on Standing as my prone is already there and kneeling is usually very good as well.

Thanks Justin for sharing a little bit about yourself with the pronematch.com community!

About H

Dan started shooting competitive smallbore in 1986. During his Junior career, he earned two national junior team titles as well as local and regional wins. After a 10 year year hiatus to attend college and start a family, Dan returned to the sport and has added local, sectional and regional wins to his shooting resume. Dan is a Distinguished Rifleman, National Record Holder, U.S Dewar Team Member, Black Hawk Rifle Club Member, Digby Hand Schützenverein member, and is the founder of pronematch.com. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and 2 children.
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15 Responses to Shooter Spotlight: Justin Tracy

  1. kevin nevius says:

    Justin:

    My coin collecting, bagpipe playing roommate from England – it was a pleasure getting to know you this summer!

    You are an incredible talent, and a great friend. I wish you all the very best in the coming years. I wish I had a chance to shoot with you more!

    You know, we might have gotten lucky in England if you didn’t have so many nerdy hobbies!!! (LOL) Hap should have told me you were walking, talking chick repellant!!!

    You left out your nickname (Spike!) – including the punk rock and dog collar collection!

    Have a great winter Justin,

    kev

    • Justin Tracy says:

      Kevin, You forgot to mention the sterling silver slide rule tie tack as well! I figured for sure that would atract the chicks like paranas to a side a beef. But like most of my assumptions in life, I was wrong.

      Despite me strutting around full of bling like a peacock, YOU are the one that kept the women at bay with all your questioning about a pound note. I think you talked to that waitress, who was trying to take the orders of many hungry shooters, for 10 minutes about pound notes/coins. I would have given you ten pounds to shut up!

      But despite all that you definately were a good choice for a roomate. If engineers don't stand untited we will be torn asunder by the likes of those who don't understand how one can do advanced calculus but not figure out the tip on a bill. I look forward to shooting with you again this summer. I'll let you shoot to my immediate right on the Dewar team, as there won't be any space to my left! I'm going to shoot either the Western Wildcat or Fort Benning in March as well, it would be a good tiem for you to escape Ohio and join the fun.

      I hope all is well!

      Justin

  2. Hap Rocketto says:

    Kevin,

    One engineer calling another engineer a chick repellant is like the pot calling the kettle black.

    I like to think of you two as the Dilbert Duo of the Roberts Team. You guys couldn't have gotten lucky even if Cenutry Range was a sea of four leaf clovers, your belt was loaded with rabbits feet on bead chains, and your pockets stuffed with horse shoes.

    May you both have a good winter.

    Hap

    • Justin Tracy says:

      Hap, does that make you the spikey haried boss? Or does your advanced age prevent you from having the hair to be such a boss?

      Also, who is the stud that was asked by a rather famous and most excellent shooter for an autograph? Case closed.

      Justin

  3. kevin nevius says:

    WOW Hap…………….I think I can speak for Justin (???) and just say we are both deeply hurt by your comments.

    Until now, we were both under the impression we were walkin, talkin pieces of "man candy".

    Thanks for shattering our hopes and illusions! (LOL)

    Justin may have had a better shot (he has youth and beauty on me) but COME ON – coin collecting??……….BAG PIPES??!!?

    GEEEESHHHH

    kev

    • Justin Tracy says:

      As the great song "Spicy McHaggis Jig" from the Dropkick Murphy's says: "…his pipes were gigantic and so was his schlong!"

      And don't worry Kevin, I still have delusions of being the dream of every woman in the world. Keep hope alive and watch out for burst pens.

      Justin

  4. kevin nevius says:

    OH…………and by the way Hap, Kim (another Roberts Team member) said she rather preferred nerds!!!

    AND (I might add) you were the heart and inspiration to the team – so much for being a positive role model!

    There is hope in Mudville!!!

    kev

  5. Hap Rocketto says:

    Actually Edie was the pointed hair boss as she was captain. I like to think of myself as Catbert, The Evil HR Director. Wigger is probably Wally.

    What does Kim know, she lives on a farm with sheep and chickens, Nerdy is a step up to her.

    Justin, the definition of a gentleman is someone who knows how to play the bagpipes-and doesn't.

    Best,

    Hapbert

    • kevin nevius says:

      Hap:

      I laughed so hard I almost peed! You had better hope Kim doesn't visit this site!

      I will surrender now……..matching words with you would be me "bringing a plastic spoon to a gunfight"

      Maybe even a "spork"!!!!

      God bless, hope you are well! (give your wife my best, both of you are always in my prayers!)

      kev

      • kevin nevius says:

        Sic em KIM (You GO GIRL!!)

        Hap………you might be great with a pen, but you might need a CUP before youare out of this mess!!!

        Hope you are well Kim – it was great to get a chance to know you on the trip!

        God bless,

        kev

  6. kevin nevius says:

    That's AWESOME!

    Thanks Dan for the great site – sorry to have taken it for a "temporary ride"!!

    Blessings,

    kev

  7. Hap Rocketto says:

    Kim,

    I did not say, or imply, you were a nerd. My statement was that being surrounded by livestock all of the time, and we both know how much you like the chickies and sheep, a nerd would look good to you.

    As a fellow lover of art, I have an extensive collection Elvis and bullfighting scenes painted on black velvet, and resident of Rhode Island I do consider it my lucky day that you would pay attention to me.

    Kevin, I do need another cup: for mine runneth over with good friends.

    Hap

    • Kimberly Chrostowski says:

      Hmm, looks like we will all need a cup to help bail out all this bs that seems to be piling up on this particular forum… 😉
      Kevin, I'm doing well and I hope you are too, it was great getting to know you, you are hilarious.

  8. Andre Gross says:

    Peanut MnM’s and Mountain Dew….. Breakfast of champions!

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