On Saturday, March 7th, the OPHS rifle team successfully conquered the NYS Invitationals through dedication, empowerment, and teamwork. This year marked the first year OPHS was represented by an all-female team, helping break the stereotype that marksmanship sports are male-dominated. Their success was not only a win because of the score, but also because of their empowerment and dedication, which should be recognized.
This year’s team consisted of the following athletes:
- Ivy Backes (Junior)
- Ariana Kovacevic (Sophomore)
- Emily Klavoon (Sophomore)
- Grace Schaffer (Sophomore)
- Bryn Pawlak (8th Grade)
- Arbor Riehle (8th Grade Alternate)
Mr. Johnson, varsity rifle coach and club advisor, acknowledges the effort shown by his athletes:
Q: How do you feel about winning NYS invitationals as the coach of an all-female team?
Johnson: Regardless of their gender, I am proud of all of my teams. However, it is very special to have the first-ever all-female championship team. I believe that marksmanship sports are often viewed as being male-dominated sports. That’s just not true. So, it’s great that our all-female championship team has been able to break the gender norms.
Q: Did you feel that the all-female team affected your team’s work ethic and outcomes?
Johnson: The ladies on the rifle team are extremely hard-working and dedicated athletes. They all get along extremely well with each other and feed off the successes each person has on the team. Before the championship match, the ladies were in the locker room hanging out and doing each other’s hair with braids and glitter. I believe that their positive female team unity and bonding truly put the team in a wonderful headspace, which showed up during the match.
Emily Klavoon, a sophomore athlete on the team, further explained their efforts from a student perspective:
Q: Do you feel all your hard work showed through on comp day?
Klavoon: I feel like we all showed up and showed out for each other on Saturday; we all gave our best. Looking at the first relay, there was some big competition, but we were all very put together.
Q: How do you feel about being a part of an all-female team?
Klavoon: I definitely emphasize the all-girls team, because before the match we were able to have team bonding in a way that’s special…through listening to music together, braiding each other’s hair, and getting in the right head space to perform our best
Overall, the all-female Rifle team showed their incredible dedication, effort, and empowerment with the invitational win. Congrats to all the ladies and Coach Johnson!
