The modern sport of rifle emerged as an organized activity in the early 1800s, with formal, structured competitions gaining significant traction following the founding of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in 1871.
Coach and former team member Katie Krocsko said, “Rifle was important to me when I was in high school because I was not popular or athletic, but I was really good at rifle and that made me feel like I was relevant. Matt Piatt and I are the only two athletes in any team sport in Trinity History to have earned four consecutive WPIAL gold medals…Being asked to come back to coach after I graduated from college was an honor. I have been blessed to watch lots of shy teens grow into confident adults over the last 22 years and to be able to coach with John Husk is humbling! Mr. Husk coached me when I was a teen and has been teaching me new things since the first day we met! He is the most respected rifle coach in the WPIAL and I am grateful to have learned so much as his assistant and friend!”
While shooting competitions existed earlier, the 1870s saw standardized rules, international competition and the opening of dedicated, formal ranges. While the school rifle varies from the Olympic Rifle, there are similarities. The Olympic rifle has three positions: standing, kneeling and prone, with 20 shots for each position from 50 meters. High school rifle is only the prone position, and it is 10 shots from 50 feet.
“I wish more people actually knew what went on in rifle, how it’s not just one shot. I wish they understood how our scoring works, and how everything you eat during the day and how much water you drink, plays such a big role in how you shoot. You have to be very disciplined,” adds junior team member Jaidyn Caltumo.
This season, Trinity’s rifle team got the top seed and took home the section championship. In their last match, they finished their season with a record of 9-1!
“Unfortunately, rifles get a lot of bad press, but most don’t realize that teaching youth safety around firearms would prevent a lot of careless tragedies. Rifle is often overlooked because it is not a spectator sport, but that doesn’t mean that our shooters are not athletes. I wish more people understood the time and dedication it takes to excel as a marksman and that the athletes on the team work hard controlling when and what they eat and drink to keep their bodies in the most relaxed state when they have a match. Obviously, some care more than others, but most of our shooters avoid sugar & caffeine when they need to shoot. Most people think it’s just nonchalant to lie down and shoot,” mentions Krocsko.
Recently, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, they took 5th place in the team WPIAL championship. Two days later, Senior Ryan Walther took 2nd in the individual WPIAL championship! Good job, Hillers!
