CA Wins Army Firearms Championship

California National Guardsman Geoffrey Applegate has won the 2013 U.S. Army Small Arms Championship.

Sgt. 1st Class Geoffrey Applegate of Weed, California in Siskiyou County won the overall individual championship at the annual military firearms competition.

"I am still a bit overwhelmed," said Applegate, a member of the 184th Infantry Regiment. "I love this competition. I have a competitive spirit.  It's what I love to do, and to win here at the All-Army is awesome!"

The Mt. Shasta area railroad engineer beamed with pride for his home state of California as his name was engraved on the championship trophy for 2013.

"There's no better training aid for shooting than All-Army. You get the best shooters, a whole range of shooters, and you can pull from so many," Applegate added.  "It's a friendly competition, but it's serious business when we get on the line."

California National Guardsman Geoffrey Applegate also earned the coveted Distinguished Rifleman's Badge, the open class title, was the combined arms match individual winner, and was awarded a Secretary of the Army M-1 Garand Trophy Rifle.

Adding to Geoffrey Applegate's U.S. Army Small Arms Championship victory, Team California was announced as the winner of the overall team championship and was also named Combined Arms Champions for 2013.

Emotions reached extremely ecstatic levels among soldiers from the Golden State.

The goal of matches at the U.S. Army firearms championship is to raise the shooting proficiency of soldiers and units through advanced combat marksmanship techniques using issue pistols and rifles.

Congratulations to California's own Sgt. 1st Class Geoffrey Applegate and Team California on their stunning national victories at the 2013 U.S. Army Small Arms Championship.

GO CALIFORNIA!