DH Vidrine
Well-Known Member
Former LSA and Palo Alto R&PC Rifle Shooter is Competing at The Rio Olympic Games
David Higgins competed at the Palo Alto R&PC and the Louisiana High Power Club at Gonzales while he and his family were Louisiana residents. David was sponsored by our Louisiana Shooting Association’s junior program and became Louisiana’s first junior shooter to earn the coveted Distinguished Rifleman’s Badge.
David will be representing the US Olympic Team in the Men’s 50m Prone shooting event. This event’s qualification and final is scheduled Friday, August 12.
Date of Birth: 6/27/94
Hometown: San Clemente, California
Events: Men’s 10m Air Rifle, Men’s 50m Rifle Three Position, Men's 50m Prone Rifle
Personal: As a youngster, Higgins was not one to shy away from competitive sports. However, early on, Higgins knew he wanted to pursue competitive rifle. “I was 13 when I first began shooting Rifle competitively, and I immediately knew that I wanted to pursue Rifle as my primary sport,” said Higgins.
Higgins felt lucky to have a family that supported his drive to become the best, as his plan included constant training and shooting, even if it meant turning his family’s home into a practice range or traveling long distances for matches.
“I began to train nearly every day, which sometimes meant shooting my Air Rifle 10 meters from the living room, through the kitchen and down the hallway into a pellet trap,” said Higgins. “Every Saturday morning, before I could drive, my parents would wake up around 4:30 to take me to matches that were over 100 miles away. As I got older, I was able to use my parents’ cars and drive the hundreds of miles a week in order to train and compete.”
Higgins recently graduated from the Air Force Academy and enjoys rock climbing, sailing and surfing in his free time. He now moves on to the next phase of his military career, having cross-comissioned into the Marine Corps upon graduation to become an infantry officer.
An Air Force Academy Cadet's Drive to Become a Top Marksman and Officer (USA Shooting News September 2014)
David Higgins: The Wild Card (USA Shooting News May 2016)
Competition Highlights
• 2016 Olympic Team nominee (Prone)
• 2014 Championship of the Americas - Fifth Place (Prone)
• 2014 National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships - Bronze Medalist (3 Position)
• 2014 Spring Selection Match - Bronze Medalist (Prone), earned spot on World Championship Team
• 2013 USA Shooting National Championships - Silver Medalist (Junior Prone)
• 2013 National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships - Silver Medalist (Prone)
David Higgins competed at the Palo Alto R&PC and the Louisiana High Power Club at Gonzales while he and his family were Louisiana residents. David was sponsored by our Louisiana Shooting Association’s junior program and became Louisiana’s first junior shooter to earn the coveted Distinguished Rifleman’s Badge.
David will be representing the US Olympic Team in the Men’s 50m Prone shooting event. This event’s qualification and final is scheduled Friday, August 12.
Date of Birth: 6/27/94
Hometown: San Clemente, California
Events: Men’s 10m Air Rifle, Men’s 50m Rifle Three Position, Men's 50m Prone Rifle
Personal: As a youngster, Higgins was not one to shy away from competitive sports. However, early on, Higgins knew he wanted to pursue competitive rifle. “I was 13 when I first began shooting Rifle competitively, and I immediately knew that I wanted to pursue Rifle as my primary sport,” said Higgins.
Higgins felt lucky to have a family that supported his drive to become the best, as his plan included constant training and shooting, even if it meant turning his family’s home into a practice range or traveling long distances for matches.
“I began to train nearly every day, which sometimes meant shooting my Air Rifle 10 meters from the living room, through the kitchen and down the hallway into a pellet trap,” said Higgins. “Every Saturday morning, before I could drive, my parents would wake up around 4:30 to take me to matches that were over 100 miles away. As I got older, I was able to use my parents’ cars and drive the hundreds of miles a week in order to train and compete.”
Higgins recently graduated from the Air Force Academy and enjoys rock climbing, sailing and surfing in his free time. He now moves on to the next phase of his military career, having cross-comissioned into the Marine Corps upon graduation to become an infantry officer.
An Air Force Academy Cadet's Drive to Become a Top Marksman and Officer (USA Shooting News September 2014)
David Higgins: The Wild Card (USA Shooting News May 2016)
Competition Highlights
• 2016 Olympic Team nominee (Prone)
• 2014 Championship of the Americas - Fifth Place (Prone)
• 2014 National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships - Bronze Medalist (3 Position)
• 2014 Spring Selection Match - Bronze Medalist (Prone), earned spot on World Championship Team
• 2013 USA Shooting National Championships - Silver Medalist (Junior Prone)
• 2013 National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships - Silver Medalist (Prone)
