Throwback Thursday: Shannon Draeker, Smallbore Star

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posted on March 29, 2018
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Editor's Note: For this #ThrowbackThursday, we're heading back to February 2008. NRA Family was then known as NRA InSights, and it was a print publication that went out to Junior members once a month. Shannon, if you're out there, we hope you're continuing to succeed in all that you do! 
As a side note, Shannon's story was the first feature that I reviewed as a brand-new Associate Editor of 
NRA InSightsso it's particularly special to me.
—Wendy LaFever, Managing Editor


Armed with a smallbore rifle and almost as many hats as there are days in a month, 12-year-old Shannon Draeker is developing a reputation as a “rising star” in the world of smallbore rifle shooting. At the California State Metric Prone Championship in Modesto, Calif., on October 20-21, 2007, Shannon set four national records for the sub-junior age group. On the first day she posted a record-breaking 1166 to defeat all other competitors, of all ages, in the iron-sight match. On the second day she came in second overall with an 1160, shattering another record with her two-day aggregate score of 2326. Shannon's other records were a 392 in the Dewar (iron sights) and a 387 in the 100 Yard (iron sights).
Less than two years ago, Shannon's only experience with shooting was with an air rifle at a monthly kids' club. She enjoyed the club competitions, but longed to do more. So Coach Eddie Abalo agreed to take Shannon under his wing, and the rest is quickly becoming history.
Kayt Draeker

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