Daily Bulletin » Reya Kempley

Kempley Wins Iron Sights Prone Championship with Perfect Score

Editor — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:35:01 +0000

Story based on report by Lars Dalseide for NRABlog.
This week prone shooters are competing at the NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships at Camp Perry. First on the agenda was the Metallic Sights Match. Shot at distances of up to 100 yards, the Metallic Championship is the aggregate of six separate matches fired over a two-day period. Courses of fire include a Dewar course (20 shots at 50 yards and 20 shots at 100 yards), 40 shots at 50 meters, and 400 shots at 100 yards.

NRABlog Archive Photo of Reya Kempley in an “Any Sights” Prone Match at Camp Perry.

Coming out on top, with a score of 2400-202X (‘X’ stands for bullseyes) was New York’s Reya Kempley. This talented young lady beat all the men, including top marksmen from the USAMU. Congrats to Reya for an outstanding performance. Here are the top five smallbore metallic sights competitors:

NRA Smallbore Prone Rifle Metallic Sights
Place	Name	Score
1	Reya Kempley	2400-202x
2	Eric Uptagrafft	2399-194x
3	Michael Seery	2399-187x
4	Michael Mcphail	2399-186x
5	Joseph Hein	2398-193x

Smallbore 3P Photo Gallery

Earlier this week the Smallbore Three-Position Matches were held at Camp Perry. Here are 3P “any sights” and metallic sights event photos from the GOnraMedia Archive:

Profile of Reya Kempley: Shooter, Pilot, Author

Editor — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 16:14:36 +0000

While on the fields of Camp Perry during the Smallbore 3-Position Rifle Championships, NRABlog editor Lars Dalseide had the opportunity to interview Reya Kempley, a very talented young lady. A past Woman’s Champion, Reya finished fourth overall in this year’s 3-Position Championships. Reya is also a trained pilot, and she has written a book on flight safety procedures.

Report Based on Story by Lars Dalseide for NRAblog.
Shooting along side her brother Tarl, Reya has enjoyed a high level of success at the National Smallbore Rifle Championships. Not only did she manage to capture the Woman’s and Civilian’s Smallbore Prone titles, she also finished 2nd overall in the Prone Championships. It was the 3-Position that proved to be more of a challenge. “For standing and prone I was a little bit nervous because this is Camp Perry, but it was under control and I felt good. For kneeling I’m hoping to still be in the hunt.”

“For me I’ve been struggling with the kneeling for a while,” explained Kempley “It’s something with my pulse, the sights move around a bit more. In standing I’m usually stiller and have a few more pauses to break the shot. That’s not how it’s suppose to be so. If I’m calm in kneeling I can shoot decent but when the nerves and the pulse gets going. That’s my challenge in 3-position right now.”

Part of the challenge could be that her time shooting 3-Position Rifle is reserved for Metrics, Perry and practice. Despite her numerous Prone victories, the it can be difficult to translate that to the 3-P field. “I wasn’t nervous during the standing portion of Metrics but it was still good practice,” said Kempley. “I try to make myself nervous, recreate the conditions, but it doesn’t always work.”

Kempley Has Written Book on Aviation Safety
Getting away from the office, recharging the batteries, is a necessity for everyone. The same could be said for getting away from the range. In addition to working with her brother on BeeSafe, an online store for smallbore barrels, gun safes and more, Reya found solace in the writing and publication of her new book Flight Emergency: Take the Left Seat in Eight Role-Playing Emergency Scenarios.

“I’m definitely into aviation, learned to fly and had an idea for an interactive adventure book about flight training with a focus on emergencies,” explained Kempley. “Thought I’d just go for it. I didn’t want to be an 80-year-old woman and regret never trying.” Her book was published last fall. Sales were encouraging enough to proceed with an eBook version. “People are more willing to give it a try electronically than with paperback,” said Kempley. “That’s just how the market is.” With 4.4 stars out of 5 on GoodReads.com and 4 out of 5 on Amazon.com, there could be a second book on the horizon. More on flying? Learning the barrel roll? Shooting Smallbore in the Camp Perry sun?

CPT Christopher Abalo Wins Smallbore Prone Championship

Editor — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:22:38 +0000

Report based on story by Kyle Jillson for the NRA Blog
CPT Christopher Abalo of the USAMU won the NRA Smallbore Rifle Prone Championship at Camp Perry, claiming the prestigious Critchfield Trophy with a score of 4792-352X. Reya Kempley came in second, just two points back (4790-363X). Rounding out the top three was Michael Anti who shot 4787-350X

The “third time was a charm” for Abalo, who secured the title in his third appearance at the Camp Perry smallbore prone event. He was close to the top in the past two years. In 2010 Abalo finished second behind teammate SSG Shane Barnhardt, while in 2011 Abalo took third, behind teammate SSG Michael McPhail and Mark Delcotto. “It feels great,” Abalo said of his first win. “After coming in second and third the last two years, it feels great to be at the top of the podium this time.”

CPT Abalo shown during “Any Sights” stage of Smallbore Prone Event.

Comprised of a Metallic Sight Championship and Any Sight Championship, the Prone Championship saw improved weather from the previous week’s Position Championships. Conditions stayed dry for the most part, but the wind coming off Lake Erie was still a force to contend with and often made life difficult for the almost 300 shooters taking part in the matches.

Photo courtesy the NRA Blog