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 40th interview in the series.
Shawn Wells
Where to you call home?
Eustis, FL (about an hour north of Orlando)
How long have you been shooting?
I have been shooting competition for 26 years.
How did you get involved in shooting competitively?
When I joined the Dade County Jr. Rifle Club in Miami in 1984.
What is a little known fact about yourself that your fellow competitors might not know?
Prior to being involved in shooting I won 3 golf tournaments in the junior ranks when I was between 8 and 12 years old.
What do you consider your finest shooting achievement.
That’s a hard question. There are several with various reasons attached each, but I’ll keep it short. The first and biggest I would say was being Mens Air Rifle National Champion in 1996. I was also Bronze Medalist in Mens Prone at the North American Championships in 1996 (My first medal won in world level competition). Bronze Medalist in Mens 3×40, and Mens Air Rifle at the 1997 U.S. National Championships. And I would also have to include being a 2 time All-American for JSU in Smallbore in 92′ and 93′, and being a member of 6 World Cup Teams while on the U.S. Team. I was also a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center from 1994-2000. Have a goal, make a training plan with steps to achieve (smaller goals) that lead to that goal, and train hard. Sounds simple but, doing that put me in a position to obtain most of the goals I set for myself in the sport.
What is your favorite pre-match meal?
Eggs and wheat toast, or cereal and milk. I usually like to keep it light.
What is your favorite post match drink?
A big sweet ice tea
Do you have a favorite shooting range?
My favorite was Prado Tiro in Calif. before it closed, next to that is Ft Benning’s ranges. My favorites in college were JSU, and Murray State. And overseas I would have to say Munich Germany, and Hiroshima Japan.
Do you have any short term and/or long term goals?
My goal now is to finish up my Distingushed Rifleman Badge in 3 Position and Prone. I only need one leg in each to complete them both . Long term I would like to get back on the podium at the USAS Nationals one more time, but thats a very hard challenge to myself with limited training time and my age catching up lolol. I would love; however, to go back to Camp Perry and finish in the top 3 in either 3 position or prone, or both.
What shooting skill are currently focusing your energy on?
Currently I have been working on my prone position. I have had some inconsistancy with it here lately and I am trying to get it solved. I am also working on getting my standing and kneeling results up just a little more before this summer. Overall I feel good though, considering the limited practice time I get these days.
Thanks Shawn for sharing a little bit about yourself with the pronematch.com community!
