Hitting Their Mark: VMI Pistol Club Impresses in Early Season Matches

The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Pistol Club has started the Fall 2025 competitive season off strong. Competing first against Liberty University and then at the United States Naval Academy, the team showcased both veteran leadership and promising new talent as they continue to build momentum for the rest of the season. The team's first match took place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at VMI's Indoor Shooting Range in Kilbourne Hall during Family Weekend. With family and friends in attendance, six cadets represented the Institute in an Olympic-style air pistol match against the Liberty University Pistol Team. Led by Cadet Kate Patrick '27, who fired an outstanding 537 points in the 60-shot match (both a personal and the match's best), VMI's four top shooters combined for a winning total of 2,042 points, defeating Liberty's 1,966 points. Close behind was Cadet Chase Boucher '27, who posted a strong 519 to secure the second-highest score overall. Cadets Jamie Palacio '27 and Andrei Hipol '28 each achieved personal records, further underscoring the depth of the team's developing talent. The team's second match came the following weekend, October 25–26, 2025, when the cadets traveled to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, to compete against one of the nation's top collegiate pistol programs. In the Air Pistol team event, VMI posted a solid 2,034 points, finishing behind Navy's 2,184 points but earning respect for their performance against such a seasoned team.. Both Kate Patrick '27 and Chase Boucher '27 led the team with matching scores of 520. Cadets Jamie Palacio '27 and Andrei Hipol '28 continued to build on their earlier success, each setting new personal records in the process. Beyond the team event, VMI shooters also competed individually in the .22 caliber Standard and Sport Pistol categories. Once again, Kate Patrick '27 distinguished herself by finishing third overall in the Standard Pistol event and eighth overall in the Sport Pistol. The match also marked an important milestone for the program: the introduction of three new shooters from the Class of 2026+3: Cadets Jordan Dominguez, Josiah Lee, and Varick Nitzsche, who participated in the Air Pistol match as individuals. Looking Ahead The VMI Pistol Club now turns its focus to its next challenge: a .22 caliber small bore match at Liberty University on November 8, 2025. The event will mark the team's first away small-bore competition of the season. With two matches already behind them, the cadets are setting their sights higher. The combination of seasoned competitors and rising underclassmen positions the VMI Pistol Club for a successful season ahead, competing not just against other schools but with themselves to be better than they were the day before. AT A GLANCE: VMI PISTOL CLUB ROSTER (FALL 2025) Cadet Leadership Kate Patrick '27 — Cadet in ChargeMichael Schreiber '28 — Assistant Cadet in Charge Team Members Chase Boucher '27Jamie Palacio '27Andrei Hipol '28Josiah Lee '26+3Jordan Dominguez '26+3Varick Nitzsche '26+3 Coaches: Dale Hybl '94, Rob Coleman '94, Kirsten Shapiro, Jan Downs Please support keeping The Cadet as the independent voice of the Corps and alumni, and fund this project by donating at: https://thecadetfoundation.org/participate-and-support/