Coming off of winning the state championship last year, the Southern Lehigh rifle team aimed this season for a repeat of their triumphant victory. The team’s motivation and preparation pushed them towards success as they dominated their matches earning them a spot at states.  

A Southern Lehigh graduate, head coach Mr. Robert Gaugler was once a member of the team before going on to Millersville University. He is now a technology education teacher at Southern Lehigh High School. 

One of the most successful sports teams in our school, rifle is also one of the most under-recognized. The sport’s difficulty is strongly underestimated. It is both mentally and physically demanding and requires immense mental focus and precision to achieve winning results. 

“It’s not a truly physical sport,” Mr. Gaugler said. “It’s more of a mental game than it is a physical game.”

He stresses the importance of teaching the optimal form for shooting a firearm as well as the mentality aspect of the sport. During the season, the team practices day in and day out to achieve the proper technique and skills essential for competing to the best of their ability. The sport’s challenging techniques have some of the most complicated dynamics and mental approaches necessary compared to any other sport. 

“We are dealing with firearms, and most students joining the team have never touched a firearm or shot any type of firearm in their life,” Mr. Gaugler said, “so I need to do a lot of teaching on how to do the techniques.”

Although rifle is somewhat of an individualistic sport, the team is a close-knit group that spends a significant amount of time bonding, including going bowling, seeing movies, fundraising, and simply talking during some downtime at practices and matches. Much of their success is credited to the relationships that they have forged and developed with their teammates.

“My favorite part would probably be the people,” senior Dino Daddona said.

“They are really good people, and I’m actually very glad I joined the team because I wouldn’t have met them otherwise.”

Although being an underrecognized team at Southern Lehigh, the rifle team has proven their talent and ability, and they recently finished another highly successful season with a second-place finish at states.