SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic—Bradley Wheeldon walked away with a silver medal and a U.S. quota slot at the 2003 Pan American Games Monday, making for a pretty productive day for the 21-year-old air rifle shooter from the University of Kentucky.
And according to National Team Coach, Dave Johnson, it’s been a pretty productive 365 days for Wheeldon. The two-time (2001 and 2002) NCAA All-American really just made “that next big step” in his shooting career this last year. And by taking a silver in his inaugural Games, he has reinforced his new-found confidence.
“Yeah, I guess it has been a good year,” Wheeldon said. “I’ve been shooting a long time, and it’s nice to get this one. I had a good collegiate season, and it really gave me some confidence coming into this summer.”
Wheeldon (Eubank, Ky.) led a significant part of the qualification round, but finished with a 590--one point behind Angel Rosendo Velarte from Argentina-- going into the finals. And by the very first round of the finals, Wheeldon and Velarte were untouchable, battling only each other for the chance to take home the gold.
“I hadn’t heard of him before today,” Wheeldon said. “But I wouldn’t say I was surprised. There is always tough competition at the Pan Am’s. I just wasn’t sure who it would be today. I honestly expected a little better from myself. But I won a quota and that is the most important thing.”
Finishing in third was Fabio Coelho from Brazil with a 685.7. Shane Barnhart (Phenix City, Ala.) finished with a disappointing 575, tied for 14th.
Up next for the U.S. Rifle Team is the Women’s 50m Rifle competition scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Sans Souci Shooting Field with finals and awards to follow.
For more information, please contact USA Shooting’s media director, Sara Greenlee, at 809-374-9169 or sara.greenlee@usoc.org.
Men’s 10m Air Rifle
FINAL RESULTS
Qualifying Final
Name Rounds Round Total
1. Angel Rosendo Velarte (ARG) 591 101.5 692.5
2. Bradley Wheeldon (USA) 590 101.4 691.4
3. Fabio Coehlo (BRA) 586 99.7 685.7
4. Roberto Elias (MEX) 584 100.1 684.1
5. Mauricio Huerta (CHI) 583 100.2 683.2
6. Julio Iemma Hernandez (VEN) 583 98.9 681.9
7. Octavio Sandoval (GUA) 582 97.6 679.6
8. Jose Carlos Arrais (BRA) 582 97.2 679.2
14. Shane Barnhart (USA) 575
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