Indianapolis, Indiana – Marion High School junior and JROTC cadet Gwynneth Hamilton has made her school and community proud after placing in the top 35 percent at the prestigious Junior Olympic National Championship earlier this month. Competing among the nation’s top young marksmen, Hamilton represented the best of Marion’s talent, discipline, and determination.
The invitation-only event was hosted by USA Shooting—the organization responsible for overseeing Olympic-level shooting sports in the United States. Held from April 13 to 18 in Anniston, Alabama, the championship brought together hundreds of high school athletes from across the country, all of whom had earned their spots through competitive state-level qualifiers. Hamilton competed in the precision air rifle category, a demanding event that tests focus, control, and endurance.
“This experience has been incredible,” Hamilton said. “Just being able to compete at this level with so many amazing athletes was an honor. Finishing in the top third really motivates me to keep pushing and improving.”
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But the competition wasn’t without its challenges. “I am glad to be done shooting,” she admitted. “That was a lot of pressure.” Hamilton first earned her place at the national event through an outstanding performance during the regional qualifier held in January at the X Count facility in Fort Wayne. Her accuracy and control during that event earned her an official invitation to the national stage, where she competed not only as a representative of Marion High School’s JROTC but also on behalf of the entire Indiana shooting community.
Retired Colonel Gary Blagburn, who serves as the Senior Army Instructor for the MHS JROTC program, praised Hamilton’s consistent hard work and commitment to excellence.
“Cadet Hamilton has worked incredibly hard both in the classroom and on the range,” Blagburn said. “Her dedication to the sport and to her training is truly admirable.”
He also credited the program’s strength to the dedication of its volunteer coaches. “Without the expertise of coaches Kent Santee and Dave Kuester, the program would not be as successful as it is currently,” he said.
The competition in Anniston was fierce, with scores among the top participants separated by only tenths of a point. In this environment, every movement, breath, and shot matters. For Hamilton to maintain her composure and deliver a top-tier performance speaks to the skills she has developed through countless hours of training and mental preparation.
Her success is more than just a personal victory—it’s a reflection of the high standards set by the MHS JROTC program and the support she’s received from instructors, coaches, and her peers. It also highlights the growing prominence of precision sports like air rifle shooting within high school athletics, where focus and discipline play as big a role as physical skill.
As Hamilton looks to the future, this experience could be a stepping stone to even greater achievements. With her junior year winding down and another year of high school ahead, she has more time to refine her skills and possibly compete again at the national level—or beyond.
For now, though, her accomplishment at the Junior Olympic National Championship stands as a proud moment for her school and an inspiration for students across Indiana who may be looking for new ways to challenge themselves.
“This is what happens when talent meets hard work,” Blagburn said. “Gwynneth has set an example for others to follow.”
And with this latest achievement, Hamilton has shown that whether in the classroom or on the shooting range, excellence is always within reach for those who commit themselves to it.
