Comments on: Young Yank Wins Honors at Canadian Fullbore Championships

By: Donald W. Eubank

Donald W. Eubank — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:45:27 +0000

Hey Kelly, We are very proud of you! All of the Eubank folk here in Virginia, your Aunt Jackie and I, and your cousins are busting buttons over your continued success. I’m sure the Army Special Forces and Marine Seal recruiters will be banging down your door. Make sure you check all your options and get any promises in your written contract! The Army has been great for me for 23+ years, and I love military life. God bless you richly. Much love, Uncle Don, US Army Chaplain, Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, VA.

By: Rob Eubank

Rob Eubank — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:13:36 +0000

Rock on, Kelly! We’re all very proud!

By: Kelly Bachand

Kelly Bachand — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:29:34 +0000

Thanks Ken, I had some details wrong about the origins of our team that I wasn’t even aware of. Church team or not, shooting with the Bad Apples has always been righteously fun

By: Kelly Bachand

Kelly Bachand — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:13:08 +0000

Hello everybody,
I made a huge mistake and failed to mention many of the people and organizations that have helped me so much along the way.
When I first began shooting high power it was as a member of the WA State Bad Apples which was initially funded and founded by Ken Littlefield. This team started as a church team before it grew into the national champion and record setting state association team it now is. Along with Ken there are many who have donated time, resources, experience, and everything else I needed to succeed as a shooter. I couldn’t possibly mention all of you who have provided so generously for me but as far as I am concerned anything I have won is as much yours as it is mine. Thanks so much to all of you and my most sincere apologies for not making sure this was the first paragraph in the above article. You are all amazing and the shooting sports simply would cease to exist if not for such generous and knowledgeable individuals as yourselves. I am extremely lucky to be shooting in a state and country so rich with such people.
My sincere thanks,
Kelly

By: Ken Littlefield

Ken Littlefield — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:46:58 +0000

As Kelly’s coach since the beginning of his shooting career I was a little surprised with some of the details in this story. One point I think needs to be corrected is that Kelly’s competitive shooting has been sponsered by Washington State Rifle and Pistol Association since day one. His borrowed rifle was no more borrowed then his currrent rifle from Mac Tilton, it was a sponsored rifle from WSRPA. Also his church never has had a rifle team, however WSRPA did and does, It was a group of boys from our church along with many others who formed what became the Bad Apples team.
Were very proud of Kelly (and all of his Bad Apple and Young Eagle teammates).

By: Kelly Bachand

Kelly Bachand — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:04:02 +0000

Thanks Brian.

I have found that once I begin thinking about the whole string of 20 shots, the whole competition, or anything besides the shot I’m currently taking everything just goes down hill. It is hard to discipline my thoughts like this, but every time I am able the results are well worth the effort.

You too have had some very impressive performances this year both at the Midwest Palma and then again at the Spirit of America; that’s some awesome shooting!

Bryan, it will be a pleasure to meet and compete with you in the future.

Regards,
Kelly

By: Jim Hardy

Jim Hardy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:56:03 +0000

Kelly is a rising star on our U25 team where many shine brightly. I had a brief chance to meet Kelly at Camp Perry a couple of years ago and I was very impressed by his performance and maturity around seasoned shooters. Now he is one of them!

Hats off to Mac Tilton of MTGuns for supporting the U.S. Team and its individual shooters. Without the support and sponsorship of the shooting community, we would not have Juniors coming up through the ranks to support the USA in international competitions.

Congrats again Kelly!
Jim Hardy

By: Bryan Litz

Bryan Litz — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:23:54 +0000

Way to go!

That’s an impressive performance. I know what you’re talking about regarding the pressure of finishing a match with a very minor lead. You described exactly the approach I’ve settled on: close out the big picture, and focus on one shot at a time. I’m always worried about messing up a whole string, but have complete confidence in executing individual shots so that’s what I think about.

Our equipment is almost identical too. Love those Barnard actions and Mastin stocks.

Kelly, I look forward to meeting and competing with you in the future.

Favor center,
-Bryan