Utah Precision Marksmanship Society

Utah Precision Marksmanship Society isn't a retail shop—it's a 501(c)(3) nonprofit competitive shooting organization based at the University of Utah that has produced national champions and All-American shooters for over two decades.

• •Competition. UPMS hosts monthly Preliminary Tryout (PTO) matches in International and NRA conventional-style bullseye pistol and rifle shooting. They also run collegiate qualifiers, Utah State championships, and Junior Olympic events. The organization has been sanctioning matches since the late 1990s.

• •Education. They offer 7-session marksmanship classes through University of Utah Continuing Education in both pistol and rifle disciplines. Classes are ½ semester long and teach the fundamentals: "delivering a series of shots to a pre-determined location." Open to public as credit or no-credit, or to U students as credit coursework. Lifelong Learning classes run 1-2 times annually.

• •Coaching. The University of Utah Shooting Team competes nationally and is sponsored by UPMS. Current coaching staff includes Elwood Powell, Leonard Wojick, Matt DeLong, and rifle coach Craig Johnson.

University of Utah shooters consistently place at NRA Collegiate Nationals and the Intercollegiate Pistol Championships. Recent standouts include Wyatt Brown (first place, free pistol and air pistol team championships), Lexi Lagan (women's sport pistol and air pistol honors, 3rd overall in 2009 Intercollegiates by 1 point), and Lindsay Daniels (2009 National Champion, Women's Air Pistol).

2014 Utah State Champions: - Men's Air Pistol: Brad Collins - Women's Air Pistol: Alexis Lagan - Standard Pistol: Eugene Mishchenko - Men's Air Rifle: Rich Sheya - Women's Air Rifle: Samantha Little - Free Pistol: Dan Wrobel

• •National Records. UPMS has hosted events where shooters set US National Records. Arnie Vitarbo set two national records for his age group in 2010; Matt DeLong also set a national record that same year.

• •Mondays: Collegiate team training (5:00 PM – 6:30 PM smallbore, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM)
• •Tuesdays: Marksmanship class (4:00 PM – 8:45 PM)
• •Wednesdays: Salt Lake Small Arms (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
• •Thursdays: Pistol League (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
• •Fridays: Open (except match weekends)
• •Weekends: Match events (5:00 PM Friday through 2:00 PM Sunday, as scheduled)

UPMS sanctions competitions in: - Air Pistol (International-style) - Free Pistol (International-style) - Standard Pistol (International-style) - Rapid Fire Pistol (International-style) - Sport Pistol (NRA conventional) - Center Fire (NRA conventional) - Air Rifle (International-style) - Smallbore Rifle

They publish results for individual standings, team standings, and maintain range records by shooter.

UPMS is actively recruiting Range Safety Officers to help run league relays. RSO certification requires passing two open-book tests (20 minutes each): General Requirements and NRA Pistol Events. Test materials are available on their website. Experienced RSOs help newcomers through the computer scoring process.

The organization also seeks volunteers for grant writing to fund ongoing operations and welcomes instructors interested in teaching marksmanship classes.

Based at the University of Utah Naval Science building. Matches and practices run year-round with monthly PTOs and seasonal state championships.