BB's Fly In Rogers For Gun Challenge
By: Garret Krier
Updated: July 2, 2012
It is the 47th annual Daisy BB gun challenge in Rogers. KNWA learned there is more to the tournament than just shooting guns and heard stories from coaches, contestants and referees.
For 14-year-old Mary Pratt, shooting is just a way of life. "It can turn into a career. I plan on that actually," said Pratt. But before that, Pratt has her sights set on the Olympics.
"Haha that is going to take a while though," said Pratt. She knows it is going to take a lot of work to get there. "You have to know the positions and you have to take some classes," said Pratt.
And according to Official Referee John Wright, those skills will transfer to other areas of life. "It is teaching them self reliance, confidence and to concentrate," said Wright.
Wright uses the example of one teen who was always a C student but after learning to shoot, turned his grades into straight A's. "And he says I got to thinking they taught me when I'm shooting I have to concentrate on what I'm doing. Pay attention to exactly what the situation is now. And he said I have made my mind up. I'm going to listen," said Wright.
Something Pratt says she is going to keep working on, too. "My parents kept me in it and I gradually got better," said Pratt.
The tournament will close out Tuesday night with an awards ceremony.






