Robertsdale High School's NJROTC Cadet Haley Wheeles showcased her marksmanship skills recently as she competed in the Junior Olympic Rifle Championship held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The event drew 178 athletes nationwide, competing across three categories: Under 21, Under 18, and Under 15. Wheeles competed in the Under 18 category, facing off against 93 other shooters.

Over the course of two days, competitors were tasked with shooting 60 shots in the Standing position within a 75-minute timeframe each day. The maximum achievable score over the two days stands at 1,308 points. The reigning champion, competing in the Under 21 category, clinched victory with a score of 1,257.9 points, while Wheeles achieved an impressive 1,194.8 points. This places her just 63.1 points shy of the Junior Olympics National Champion, translating to a mere half-point deficit per shot over the 120-shot event. Her performance has garnered attention from shooting coaches at several universities.

What makes Wheeles' achievement even more remarkable is her limited practice leading up to the competition. Having practiced just once before qualifying at the state level, the match marked only her second 60-shot standing match ever. Despite this, she maintains a perfect 4.00 GPA as a junior at Elberta High School. Additionally, she holds the position of Company Commander within the Robertsdale High School NJROTC program, is a graduate of the Leadership Academy, a nominee for Alabama Girls State, Vice President of the EHS FFA, a varsity athlete and an active leader in community service.