Phoenix, AZ - 25m - Dec 6-7 2025

[kelly42a]

Patriots — center up!

We wrapped an outstanding weekend at Ben Avery Shooting Facility and the line was buzzing from first relay to last. The weather tried to remind us it's December, but not one person complained about the "relative" cold — focus, grit, and good humor kept everyone warm.

Huge thanks to our hosts at Ben Avery, we truly couldn't do this without your support—and to every shooter and family who spent the weekend with us.  Special appreciation to Mrs. Smith for driving 7 hours each way to join us. Your calm, clear instruction and words of encouragement lifted everyone's game, especially mine. Thank you!

Highlights

• 10 shooters on the line, including two amazing youth whose hustle and attitudes set the tone for the whole weekend.
• Suman earned his Red Hat — yes, during what he thought was a "practice" test. (Pro tip: There is no practice AQT, if it's timed, it counts.  A PC is no different.)
• Morgan's Shingle: 13 hits across the weekend.
• Redcoats cleared: 6 Redcoats cleared by 4 shooters.
• Rifleman: 4 Rifleman patches awarded, including one to a first-time Appleseeder.
• Distinguished: One Distinguished bar for a 240 AQT — serious marksmanship.
• Youth milestones: Two Road to Rifleman certificates to young shooters with Marksman scores of 149 and 165.
• Parker's Revenge: Ran it Sunday — high-scoring team posted 65/75.

To all our shooters: thank you for your discipline, coachability, and camaraderie on the line. Keep practicing the fundamentals (NPOA, six steps, steady hold factors), bring a friend next time, and we'll see you back at Ben Avery soon.

In Liberty,
Arizona Project Appleseed Instructor Team