Stuttgart’s Jamela Santos lays in the prone position alongside a line of fellow competitors during during the DODEA-Europe marksmanship championship at Ansbach Middle High School on Jan. 27, 2024. Santos finished at the top of the Stuttgart team, posting 190s in prone and kneeling. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
The Kaiserslautern Raiders stood tall Saturday, dominating one of the three positions in marksmanship en route to the program’s first DODEA-Europe title.
Led by Katelynn McEntee’s high score of 188 of a potential 200 in the standing position, the Raiders dethroned champion Ansbach in a battle where the top four teams finished within 17 points of each other. McEntee – who finished second overall Saturday – and four other Raiders combined to total 734 while standing – 17 points better than the Cougars.
Ansbach’s Alexander Pohlman defended his title by totaling 578 points – two better than McEntee. And Cougars teammate Kenton Duplessie finished atop both the prone and kneeling portions of the competition and finished in a tie for fifth. But Ansbach’s efforts in those two disciplines weren’t enough to keep the title it took from nine-time champion Stuttgart a year ago.
“That was nerve-wracking,” Kaiserslautern coach Bill Conley said. “But for (the team) to come out and perform the way they did, I am not surprised.”
Kaiserslautern was third a year ago behind Ansbach and Stuttgart. But the Raiders had the highest average score this season heading into the event.
“It’s like we vindicated ourselves,” Conley said. “Last year was a tough lesson to learn. We definitely regrouped this year and the results speak for themselves.”
The Raiders scored 2,270 points as a team – seven better than the Cougars. Vilseck (2,254) and Wiesbaden (2,253) weren’t far behind. All four schools can compete in the JROTC nationals next month in Ohio.
Ansbach’s Kenton Duplessie dials in his rifle during the DODEA-Europe marksmanship championship at Ansbach Middle High School on Jan. 27, 2024. Duplessie took home the titles in both the kneeling and prone positions. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Kaiserslautern’s Katelynn McEntee reloads her rifle during the prone portion during the DODEA-Europe marksmanship championship at Ansbach Middle High School on Jan. 27, 2024. McEntee finished with a a team-high score of 576. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Vilseck’s Briseis Palomarez aims during the standing portion of the DODEA-Europe marksmanship championship at Ansbach Middle High School on Jan. 27, 2024. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
The trophies are lined up before the awards ceremony at the DODEA-Europe marksmanship championship at Ansbach Middle High School on Jan. 27, 2024. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
The season in Europe didn’t end the way that Pohlman wanted. But he said he and his teammates did the best they could.
“I wasn’t too nervous coming into today,” Pohlman said. “We have dealt with nerves all season long trying to defend our title.”
Vilseck’s Emily Dahle was third with 572, just ahead of Alconbury’s Rachana Dacumos at 571. Duplessie earned top scores in the prone with a perfect score of 200 – one point ahead of Pohlman. Pohlman was also the closest behind Duplessie in kneeling with scores of 197 to 195. The Cougars outscored the Raiders 768-766 in kneeling and 783-776 in prone.
Kaiserslautern’s Noah Truschinski and Vilseck’s Hailynn Corpuz tied with Duplessie for fifth.
Anastasia Mottern (564), Amanda Garcia (561) and Erica Logan (559) rounded out the scoring for the Raiders.
