Elyria teen wins big at National Pistol Championships

By: CLARA WICINSKI

For the past four years, Jace Walters has been working toward one goal: shooting a perfect score at one of the nation’s premier pistol competitions.Jace Walters recently graduated from JVS in Lorain and will start basic training in the coming months. (Submitted)This year, the 18-year-old Elyria resident accomplished that goal twice.Competing in the Glock Sport Shooting Foundation CMP National Challenge, part of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s National Pistol Championships at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Walters posted two perfect scores of 500, earning overall podium finishes against a field that included adult competitors and elite military shooters.Walters finished third overall out of 89 competitors in the Stock Glock division with a score of 500-42X and second overall out of 28 shooters in the Rimfire division with a score of 500-45X.According to information provided by Walters’ family, he is believed to be the first junior competitor to earn an overall podium finish in the event’s history, accomplishing the feat in two separate divisions. His family also said he became a four-time Junior National Champion at the GSSF CMP National Challenge.“This really means a lot to me,” Walters said. “I’ve been shooting this match for four years now, and I’ve always been working toward shooting a 500. It shows that all the work and effort I’ve put into the sport has paid off.”The National Challenge is held during the annual CMP National Pistol Championships at Camp Perry, one of the country’s largest marksmanship events.Walters said the pistol portion of the National Matches spans about three weeks, with the GSSF competition taking place during that schedule.In addition to his two perfect scores, Walters shot a 496-41X in the Unlimited division and a 495-42X in MOS, missing just three shots outside the 10-ring across 200 shots during the competition.Walters didn’t begin his competitive career in shooting sports. He originally competed in archery at the national level before a shoulder injury forced him to look for another activity.“I had to go through physical therapy because of the repetitive motion from archery,” he said. “The range where I practiced had a gun range, so I decided to try an indoor winter league. Everyone was really helpful, and I just kept learning and going to more matches.”That support from experienced shooters helped him develop into one of the top junior pistol competitors in the country.“Everyone was willing to give me tips and help me learn,” Walters said. “That really helped me grow as a shooter.”Walters recently graduated from the Lorain County JVS and is scheduled to leave next month for Air National Guard Basic Military Training.He believes competitive shooting has prepared him for that next step.“It’s taught me a lot mentally,” he said. “I’ve learned how to work through challenges and stay focused under pressure. I think that’s going to help me when I go into the Air Force.”Walters also credited his father for helping him reach this point.“My dad has been my biggest supporter,” he said. “He’s traveled with me to competitions and helped me run my landscaping business so I could help pay for these events.”As his junior shooting career comes to a close, Walters hopes other young people will consider giving the sport a try.“My advice is to learn as much as you can from everyone,” he said. “Go to local matches, talk to people and ask questions. Everybody was really helpful when I was getting started, and that’s a big reason I’ve improved.”
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The Morning Journal (19 July 2026)