BHS Senior Sofia LaRocca Heads To Nationals

Bullseye!

Brewster High School Senior Sofia LaRocca is headed to the nationals for the Air Rifle Marksmanship competition sponsored by the National Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. The competition will take place in Anniston, Alabama on February 16, 2025.  

It is the first time Brewster’s NJROTC has participated in an Area Air Rifle Championship, the qualifying competition for nationals, and the first time one of its members has qualified for nationals. The program is only three years old. 

During an Air Rifle Marksmanship competition,  cadets must shoot in three positions–standing, kneeling, and lying down.  They are required to shoot 20 recorded shots on 20 separate targets, in each position (60 targets total). They shoot at a distance of 10 meters at targets as small as a quarter. At Areas, LaRocca came in first place with a score of 502. 

LaRocca practices three times a week in the NJROTC classroom.

“I just relax, let go of everything, and focus on the target,” she said.

“She has a natural talent,” said her instructor Master Chief Michael Campbell.

The accomplishment is especially impressive as LaRocca suffered a stroke at the age of 10, which left her paralyzed on the left side. 

Air rifle marksmanship offered LaRocca a chance to compete. When LaRocca first took aim three years ago, she knew she had something special. Since then, she has kept hitting the mark and winning competitions. Last summer, she took first place at the Palmetto Games in South Carolina–competing against experienced marksmen. Last weekend, at Area Championships, her scores were high enough to qualify for Nationals. 

Now, LaRocca dreams of making it to the Para Olympics in 2028.

“She definitely has a shot,” said Campbell. “Definitely!”