GENESEO, ILL. – The Hillsdale College Action Shooting Team, with sponsorship support from Springfield Armory®, earned its first national championship at the Scholastic Action Shooting Program’s College Nationals in Talladega, Alabama. The competition, which took place March 12-13, was the team’s first national competition as a varsity team. This 10-person group includes students ranging from sophomore to senior, and three of the team members are veterans.
“The team and I were determined to represent Hillsdale College and Springfield Armory well at this year’s College Nationals,” said Adam Burlew, head coach of the team. “We trained dutifully to maximize our chances of success. These students are dedicated to being the best, and I’m proud of what they have accomplished over the last six months.”
Beating out competition from teams including Texas A&M, West Point and Virginia Tech, the Hillsdale team competed in two divisions: 1911 Model and Centerfire Pistol. They earned first place in the nation in the 1911 Division shooting Springfield Armory 1911 pistols. They earned second place in the Centerfire Division using Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 5.25” 9mm pistols. Additionally, the B Squad of the team placed third in the nation in the 1911 Division.
Individual shooters earned high honors, as well. Senior Greg Clement placed first in the 1911 division and third in the centerfire division among male pistol shooters. Senior Sarah Wagoner placed second in the 1911 division among female pistol shooters.
Springfield Armory has been a proud sponsor of the Hillsdale College pistol and rifle teams since 2019, providing XD-Ms, XD-M Elites, 1911 pistols, equipment (hats and range bags), and access to training with champion shooter Rob Leatham. Hillsdale College, located in Hillsdale, Michigan, has built a national reputation through its principled refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies, even indirectly in the form of student grants or loans. With an emphasis on a traditional, classical core curriculum, the college is ranked among the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the United States.
“We are honored to be associated with this stellar institution, and could not be more proud to have been able to support the Varsity Pistol Team in these incredible achievements at the College Nationals,” says Springfield Armory Vice President of Marketing, Steve Kramer. “Congratulations to the team on their performance at the competition. This is an impressive group of young people, and we are thrilled to be able to support them in their efforts.”
“We at Hillsdale College are very grateful to Springfield Armory for its generous support of our team, to Rob Leatham for the excellent shooting clinics he’s conducted for them, to the generous donors who have made all this possible, and to Adam Burlew for his dedicated coaching,” says Hillsdale College’s Dr. Charles Steele, faculty advisor for the team as well as Associate Professor of Economics and Chairman of the Economics and Business Administration Department.
To learn more information about Hillsdale College, please visit: www.hillsdale.edu.
In 1794, the original Springfield Armory began manufacturing muskets for the defense of our young, free Republic. The Armory functioned as a firearms supplier for every major American conflict until 1968 when the government sadly closed its doors. In 1974, nearly two centuries after its inception, Springfield Armory Inc. in Geneseo, Ill. revived the iconic heritage of the Armory to carry on its legacy.
We strive to honor this responsibility as guardians of the original Springfield Armory legacy by manufacturing the highest quality firearms to enable responsible citizens to preserve their right to keep and bear arms in the defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
With an unmatched emphasis on craftsmanship, performance and exceptional customer service, our mission is to forge superior firearms and provide the tools necessary to defend individual freedoms and equality for those who embrace the rights and principles secured by our Founding Fathers. For more information, please visit us at: springfield-armory.com.
