11/1/2002 - Rifle
Albright Selected to USA Shooting?s National Development Team
Navy sophomore Matt Albright (Shelton, Conn.) has been named to the 2002-03 USA Shooting (USAS) National Development Team. USAS National Rifle Coach David A. Johnson announced the remaining six shooters for the 16-member team this week. "I'm pretty psyched and shocked at the same time," said Albright. "I'm certainly honored to be named to the team. I've been involved with USAS for awhile now and have known Coach Johnson. He came up and congratulated me at the Junior Finals for the national championship in Atlanta last year. It's always been a dream and goal of mine to be a member of the National Development Team. I'll just continue to work hard and not do anything different here." USAS's National Development Team features the top junior (age 20 or under) and the top collegiate shooters each year. The shooters are selected via their performance at various levels of competition, including the Junior Olympics, NCAA Championship and national matches. USAS provides training opportunities for the members of the team throughout the year, including guidance in their individual mental and physical training plans. The opportunity exists for National Development Team members to join the National Team in events across the world throughout the year. "I'm very pleased to add Matt to the team," said Johnson. "He is a very determined and goal-oriented individual that has already made tremendous progress in this sport. I think his work ethic and leadership skills will be a great example on our team." According to Johnson, Albright made a name for himself last year during the NCAA and USAS competitions. At last Saturday's match versus Norwich, Albright set career highs with an air rifle score of 385, smallbore score of 1162 and a total score of 1547. "I think it's very exciting for Matt, as he is a very hard-working young man," said Navy head rifle coach Bill Kelley. "It's an honor that you can't ask for. The national coach says he is one that they want to keep progressing, and he will. I'm sure making the National Development Team is the next step for many junior-level shooters on collegiate teams. It's certainly exciting as a coach to be a part of it. "I think it really means a lot to the Naval Academy, as it is rare for any sport to have someone of this caliber. It certainly says a lot for the quality and world-class program that Navy has here. Hopefully, it will attract top juniors to our program and Navy rifle. "We'll support everyone's dreams and goals, whether it be as a naval officer and finding a service selection that fits them the best or athletic accomplishments. This is just a validation of what the program has been trying to accomplish. Navy can now say that it competes with the top programs across the country."
