DODEA-Europe marksmanship has set its sights on reaching the same heights this winter as it did in 2022-2023, when it proved to have some of the top American high school sharpshooters.

Seven teams from six schools qualified for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Service National Finals at Camp Perry, Ohio, in February, with Ansbach getting two teams into the contest held on Feb. 10-11.

Once there, Ansbach (Army) and Alconbury (Air Force) won titles in their respective services. Those two and Kaiserslautern then advanced to the All-Service Finals once again at Camp Perry a month and a half later, although only the Cougars ended up competing.

And they didn’t miss their mark, taking 10th place overall and third among Army squads.

Here’s a team-by-team look based off responses from individual schools’ coaches:

Alconbury

The Dragons may have finished fifth at last year’s European championships, but they went on to win a precision title at Camp Perry as a JROTC program.

Two of the top three from that squad graduated, but expectations stay high for John Pardo’s team. Returning are senior and team captain Rachana Dacumos, who took 11th individually at Euros, and juniors Alan Smith (26th at Euros) and Aila Zenter (20th), all of whom were in Alconbury’s top five. Others with experience are senior Lance Langley and sophomores Ana Alejandro Diez, Roscoe Brady and Gabriella Pantoja.

New to the team are junior Atlas Grant, sophomores Jamie Goenen and Noelle Steele, and freshmen Alex Andrejcik, Logan Ballew, and Dionisia Dobson.

Ansbach

The Cougars were dominant in 2022-2023, ending Stuttgart’s chokehold in Europe by winning their first championship in the sport.

Then came the national success, as Ansbach just couldn’t seem to stop winning.

The big question is: Can the program repeat while trying to reload?

It certainly helps when you have Europe’s top sharpshooter in the lineup. Senior Alexander Pohlman posted 577 points in Wiesbaden last season, winning by a bull’s-eye tiebreaker over then-teammate Kalea Russell.

He followed that up by finishing 26th individually with 1,164 points and 74 bull’s-eyes at the All-Service Championships.

Senior Kenton Duplessie and junior Laysha Bobbitt (13th place in Wiesbaden) experienced the national level on the Cougars’ second team, and they will be expected to step up. Also coming back are sophomores Chance Duplessie, Minka Larson and Ethan Serna, senior Andre Ford and junior Derek Richard.

Joining the team this year are seniors Bryson Clark and Tasi Mansell, junior David Serna, sophomore James Colon, and freshmen Sydney Mendoza, Kael Clark and Brylee Wollenzein.

Baumholder

The Buccaneers didn’t qualify for the European championships last season, and coach B.J. Walker’s team might be small.

Still, Walker mentioned he has high hopes for Ashleyn Brech. He described her as having the potential to finish in the top 10 in Europe this year.

Also on the team are Landon and Caiden Brech.

Kaiserslautern

The Raiders continue to build their program, taking third in last year’s European tournament.

Seven returners have coach William Conley thinking this year could be the year for a title.

Senior Maurnice Ahavit brings back an eighth-place finish at Camp Perry. Sophomore Katelynn McEntee placed highest for Kaiserslautern at Euros last year, coming in fourth, while juniors Lana Le and Noah Truschinski took ninth and 17th places, respectively.

Also back are junior Anastasia Mottern and sophomores Aubrey Garcia and Erica Logan.

The Raiders welcome five shooters to the team in sophomores Phoenix Meikle, Auriana Davis and Korah Franz and freshmen Amanda Garcia and Joyce Truschinski.

Ramstein

The Royals enter Year 2 wanting not simply to compete but also to place high at competitions – and to make it to the European championships.

Coach Doug Haven said after continuous improvement that culminated with the team’s best performance at the end of the season, Ramstein received training from a world-class marksman and gained an influx of newcomers with talent. The Royals also have an increased understanding of the scoring system.

Back for the second season are team captain Diego Cardenas, Mateo Cardenas, Sofia Pinero, Marina Martin, Dylan Matthews and Grayson Schmidt. Mya Henry, Charles Kretz, Aspen Lindsey and Leni Taylor will contribute as well.

SHAPE

The Spartans may be in a rebuild under coaches John Arias and David Smith.

Still, SHAPE expects to compete with the best in Europe, with the right combination of veterans and inexperienced but talented shooters.

Michalina Szlawska, Marina Dimou, Ronet Ruszin, and Andrada Malutan have returned. The new shooters are Daria Malutan, Max Oprych, Iveta Stanfanovic, Aveta Stefanovic, Gints Dinne, Francesco D’Errico, Panagiotia Tsirigoti and Martin Stojanoski.

Spangdahlem

In the first year under coach Mike Cook, the Sentinels came in sixth place in their conference, missing out on the European tournament. In the second season, they are looking to improve.

Spangdahlem is banking on returners Isabel Garver and Adriana Tijerina to lead the way. The squad’s newcomers include Andre Danielson, Lucas DeGrasse, Mason Knight, Garrett Tanksley, Edward Peterson, Ron Cruz, Miles Clarkson and Logan Siler.

Stuttgart

The Panthers’ nine-year DODEA European dynasty came to end last winter, but they still came in second place in Wiesbaden and then eighth at Camp Perry, a season plenty of programs would take.

To get back to the top won’t be easy, though, as Stuttgart graduated three of its top shooters. Still, fifth-place Euro finisher Nolan Smith brings back plenty of experience, while Kathryn Gillooly (24th at Euros), Avery Gerhauser, Emma Adamson, Eljee Beldad, Shailayah Miller, Jaqueline Polkowski and Jamela Santos also are back.

Paige Holloman transferred in from Vilseck, while Aurora Mayo, Espn Andres and Madelyne Moonan also join the Panthers.

Vicenza

The Cougars finished fourth in the conference, missing out on qualifying for the European championships.

They have their sights set on eclipsing Vilseck for that third-place spot this campaign.

To do so, Vicenza will be counting on returners Kailee Hadley, Briane Horner, Cassandra Bender, Phillip Cirillo, Reilyn Casper and Ben Espersen. Liam Miguel, Athena Reynolds, Sophia Reed and Finigan McCaan round out the squad.

Vilseck

The core of the Falcons’ team returns, giving them high expectations after qualifying for the European championships.

Coach John Sabala has posted the goals of challenging for a European title, qualifying for the JROTC Service National Championships in February and advancing to the All-Services Finals in March.

Emily Dahle will lead the way after coming in 22nd last winter in Wiesbaden. Ulric Bridges and Rheanna Salo complement Dahle, after finishing 30th and 26th at the European meet, respectively.

Several JV shooters are expected to step up and make key contributions to the varsity team. Four – sophomores Briseis Palomarez, Hailynn Corpuz, Jonathan Talbot and Elaina Perez – will compete weekly for the final two varsity positions.

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• 2023-24 DODEA-Europe marksmanship schedule