The Boozer family celebrating Elisa signing with 4-time National Champion University of Kentucky
Over the past couple years, we have been following the Oklahoma Sharpshooters, a precision-rifle team coached by ORA Treasurer, Charles Meloy. This past year the team ranked #2 in the nation for air rifle. The team is working towards NCAA scholarship spots with two of the girls having signed on to NCAA collegiate rifle teams. They are even hoping to represent the U.S. on the Olympic Development Team. What excites us is that this is happening in Oklahoma and it is our Oklahoma Youth that are representing us around the world. You may wonder, what is the secret behind all this success? As one Sharpshooter Dad, Brandon Boozer, puts it, “Never underestimate a highly motivated parent.”
We think it is more than that. Parental love, involvement, and support shows with the OK Sharpshooters, a team not only accomplished, but young people who are a joy to be around. This signals that it isn’t just skill being taught, but also character. This is a necessary component in great youth programs, because in sports, it’s more than just physical development, but a host of soft skills that are also necessary. We can view sporting opportunities as laying the foundation with the physical development, and build on the soft skills that will remain throughout the young person’s life. In this, the opportunity doesn’t end once they have made podium, signed with a NCAA team, or even win gold at the Olympics.

The Shannon family celebrating Chloe signing with Morehead State University.
The other side-effect we see with teams like the OK Sharpshooters is that they don’t sacrifice academics for sport. In fact, this goes back to the soft skills that seem to go hand-in-hand with youth excelling in the shooting sports. The OK Sharpshooters are top students in their schools while maintaining a rigorous training schedule, and shows the discipline and character that is developed when youth are participating and competing on rifle teams.
Another advantage to the precision rifle teams is that this gives youth community. It is a critical part of childhood development to have the right peer groups, and kids crave and need friendships. By combining that with a fun sport, the peer group is building necessary hard and soft skills, guided by the challenge of the sport, and not allowing destructive distractions. Parents know the importance of who their kids hang out with and the fear of damaging productivity and responsibility.
The investment the OK Sharpshooter parents have made into the team is a critical component for the success of the team. What we forget is the miles driven, the dollars spent, the meals consumed, the early mornings, the strategy and planning that is poured into these teams. But when talking to the OK Sharpshooter parents, you’ll also find that there is a vision that goes beyond their children.
In speaking to Brandon, you will quickly learn of the potential a precision rifle team has not only for the youth who are participating, but for our state. Again, the OK Sharpshooter team has ranked internationally, was recognized in 2024 in the Oklahoma State House and Senate, and met with the Governor. This representation is a boon to our state and is an indicator that in Oklahoma we have the environment, support, legislation, and opportunity to produce champions… but with the caveat that this is actually a work in progress. The ORA has stepped in to make connections and work with lawmakers so that when these athletes are representing Oklahoma at a national or international level, they can take time off from school.
Recently, ORA Life member Elisa Boozer, signed to the University of Kentucky’s rifle team. This means she will be stepping away from the OK Sharpshooters after graduation to continue this exciting journey. But her dad is thinking, what is next for the team? How do we build momentum from the sacrifice and work that he and the other parents have invested? This is where the ORA steps in.
First, our goal is to keep getting word out about the opportunities there are for young people in precision rifle. This is a sport that is taking off for young women especially. As we have talked about, there is a path for scholarships and a team and coaches in our own backyard that are producing champions. We need the next set of OK Sharpshooters to join.
Second, there is a need for more facilities for this sport. Oklahoma is uniquely positioned with friendly legislation and a large network with clubs throughout our state, to take on this vision. There are only three other facilities in the nation where precision rifle teams can go for training, so why not add another? This is one way Oklahoma can continue making a positive difference in our nation and set an example of the opportunity that the shooting sports bring.
When talking about our legacy of firearm rights and freedoms, we can’t forget that it begins with community and the grassroots, that it is in making investments into the success of our young people with sport, mentorship, and opportunity. As we look ahead with our work at the ORA, let’s figure out the ways we build our legacy as Oklahoma’s gun owners, to invest in our youth, and show the nation the great opportunity that is found in the shooting sports, starting first in Oklahoma.
For more information on the OK Sharpshooters and youth precision rifle, email ORA Treasurer, Charles Meloy at: cmeloy19 at msn.com

The Oklahoma Sharpshooter team celebrating as CMP National Champion Runners-Up in 3-Position Air Rifle. L-R Jesse Oberle, Karis Junker, Chloe Shannon, Elisa Boozer