By Brittany Nelson, USAS Public Relations & Communications Manager
COLO SPRGS, CO (Oct. 11, 2023) – The NRA Whittington Center, located in Raton, New Mexico, is providing outdoor ranges for USA Shooting athletes to utilize as they prepare for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic/Paralympic Games.
Abby Gordon, a USA Shooting National Rifle Team member, recently visited the center for 50m Rifle 3 Position training. The shooting center has over 33,000 acres and 25 ranges for a vast array of shooting disciplines.
“We used the Coors Benchrest Range where she got in some excellent wind training,” said Pete Durben, USA Shooting National Rifle Coach. “The housing situation there looks great, and the staff was very helpful and friendly.”
The Coors Benchrest range is used for special circumstances and can accommodate shooting up to 300 yards. Other ranges on the property include the shotgun center, multiple pistol ranges, high power ranges, smallbore rifle ranges, and an archery range.
USA Shooting is excited about this blossoming partnership with the NRA Whittington Center as we continue on our Path to Paris. The facility is an official Southwest Regional USA Shooting Training Center. The 2024 Games are less than a year away and receiving quality training is a top priority for our athletes.
“USA Shooting is very fortunate to have a world class facility so close to Colorado Springs,” said Craig Kozeniesky, Chief Executive Officer of USA Shooting. “This growing partnership with the NRA Whittington Center is very promising. Their vision for growth and expansion aligns very well with USA Shooting’s long-term plans for Los Angeles 2028 Olympic preparations. Training at Whittington Center will be an important fixture in these plans.”
The Whittington Center has so many unique ranges for use, but the fun doesn’t stop there. The center hosts a wide variety of events for their members to include guided hunts, youth programs, training courses, and the Women’s Wilderness Escape just to name a few. The facility also has many options for lodging such as competitor housing, campgrounds, cabins, and hook ups for RVs.
To learn more about the Whittington Center, visit https://www.nrawc.org/.