Jeremy Scriver said he would have been thrilled to place in the top 10 at the BC Provincial Smallbore Championships, held May 21 in Parksville. He did that and then some by placing third and taking home the bronze medal.
A first-year member of Powell River Yellow Jackets, formed in 2013 to teach, practice and compete in target shooting, Scriver became the team’s first-ever shooter to compete in the match-rifle category.
“I’ve been shooting 22s my whole life,” said Scriver, “but only competitively for six months.”
Scriver said he finds target shooting relaxing because it is slow, calm and repetitive.
His methodical style of shooting works well for him, according to Yellow Jackets coach Darryl Craig.
“Everybody was really thrilled by Jeremy’s success,” said Craig. “He’s a natural, high-skilled and very disciplined. He put a lot of work into it.”
After getting a taste of his first provincial competition, Scriver said he would like to see Powell River host the event.
“That would be really enjoyable,” he said. “It would be nice for a number of shooters in the province to be able to come and see Powell River.”
Yellow Jackets practice every Thursday at Powell River Rod and Gun Club, in the disciplines of prone and three-position shooting, using 22-calibre target rifles. The team ranges in age from 11 to 50.
Declan Gillen, one of the Yellow Jackets’ younger team members, also competed at the provincials in the sporting-rifle category.
“It’s really good for kids,” said Scriver. “It engages them in an activity that’s calm and relaxing, gets them away from just sitting at video games and teaches them a lot of responsibility, because they’re using live firearms.”
For more information about the Yellow Jackets, go to powellriverrodandgunclub.ca or call Darryl Craig at 604.414.7164.
