Our coverage of the men’s race at the 2010 Single Stack Nationals continues. Read on to discover a bit more about Todd Jarrett and his match. We’ve also included a video compilation of a few of his stages from the event … this man is fast and smooth!
4th Place – Todd Jarrett (9-Time USPSA National Champion, 1996 IPSC World Champion)
WoU: Congrats on your 4th Place finish, Todd!
Todd: Thank you, and thanks to Women of USPSA for taking time to expand on the SSN coverage!
WoU: It’s our pleaure … What was your mindset going into this match?
Todd: Honesty, I was looking forward to going back to Barry … somewhere I have shot many, many matches. It almost feels like a “home club” in a way and I really enjoy shooting there. It’s familiar territory and I get to see old friends, which makes shooting the match a bit more comfortable for me.
WoU: It’s one of our favorite ranges, too. Now, tell us about the gun and your gear.
Todd: This year I changed from .45 to .40 and I shot an STI Trojan. The .40 SS has more predictable recoil than a .45 but it can be challenging to keep it running, so gunsmithing and preparing ammo took a little more time before this year’s match. I had some magazine problems a few weeks before the match, so I contacted Virgil Tripp who kindly overnighted me some Cobra mags. They ran flawlessly. My holster, belt, and pouches are all Blackhawk!
WoU: It’s good to have friends like Virgil! : ) How do you train when preparing for the Single Stack Nationals?
Todd: Reload, reload, reload! There is such a big difference in reloading a single stack versus a wide body – it requires so much more patience and practicing reloads is the big key. The SSN is probably the most challenging match in USPSA and I practice shooting very difficult target arrays to prepare. I focus a lot on limiting extra shots because there are so many stages at the SSN where taking an extra shot could mean the difference in having to make an extra reload or not.
WoU: You put down some amazing runs. How do you feel you performed overall?
Todd: Win or lose, I’m never completely satisfied with my performance … I always find something to improve upon. This year, I was relatively pleased with the first part of my match, but got in to some trouble on the Standards stage. One bad string of fire was the turning point for my overall performance in the match. It’s amazing how one draw and six shots can really affect your confidence. Overall, I was content. Over the last few years my priorities have changed a bit, and I am ok with not always winning if I know I did the best I could do on a given day.
WoU: Historically at the Single Stack the GM’s are spread out all over the match in different squads. This year was no exception. Do you prefer to shoot with a variety of shooters or do you like to be squadded in a Super Squad?
Todd: This year was a real treat because Rob and Phil and I were finally invited to shoot with the ladies super squad! I have shot with Rob at almost every National match as long as I can remember. I do like shooting with new faces, but there is always an advantage to shooting with the best.
WoU: Aw, that’s sweet to say … and we felt very fortunate to be able to shoot with you. Which of the variety of stages that we shot stands out most for you?
Todd: I’ve always enjoyed speed shoots and strong hand/weak hand has always been one of my strong suits. There was a VERY tough strong/weak hand stage at this match that had me sweating. I came through it well but it will stand out in my memory among the many stages I’ve shot.
WoU: You won the strong-hand stage, too. Very impressive shooting! What is it that you like the most about the Single Stack Division?
Todd: I like the strategy that’s involved shooting single stack. It requires more patience and concentration and it helps keep up my mental game.
WoU: Is there anything you would like to add?
Todd: If I could only shoot one match a year, it would be the Single Stack Nationals in Barry, IL. Thanks to Springfield for their dedication to the action shooting community for so many years. And congrats again to Rob! See ya next year …
WoU: Once again, congratulations on your 2010 Single Stack Nationals finish! We hope to see you soon on the range!
Check out this Shooting USA video to learn about the history of Julie Golob’s shooting career.
This is the first profile that Shooting USA has done on a woman. Congratulations, Julie …
and thank you Shooting USA for the great coverage!
Check out this video compilation of some of the Women of USPSA at the 2010 Single Stack Nationals.
Congratulations again to the Top 8 Ladies:
1st – Julie Golob
2nd – Sara Dunivin
3rd – Kippi Leatham
4th – Nancy Huspek
5th – Tori Nonaka
6th – Lisa Munson
7th – TD Roe
8th – Shannan Chada
Next year, we hope to have even more women shooting the Single Stack Nationals! Give it a whirl, ladies – It’s a lot of fun!
Here is the final interview with our 2010 Single Stack National Champion, Julie Golob …
WoUSPSA – Congratulations, Julie, on your 2nd USPSA Single Stack Nationals victory AND your 10th USPSA National Championship Title! You have officially joined the ranks of a handful of elite shooters who have attained double-digit USPSA National Titles. What does this accomplishment mean to you?
Julie – It’s hard to put into words. I won my first nationals in 1999 and to be still be able to win over 10 years later is something I will always be proud of. A decade ago I was just “Julie The Shooter” and life was a whole lot simpler! Winning a nationals now is, well… just really special.
WoUSPSA – This year, you dominated the match shooting a 10-round 9 mm with minor ammunition. When you won your first SSN in 2006, you shot an 8-round .45 in major. What factors influenced your decision to go minor? What do you feel the pros and cons (of shooting minor) specifically were at the 2010 SSN?
Julie – I chose to shoot minor for a few reasons. After a tendonitis injury last year, I was terrified of it returning. Shooting minor seemed to make a lot more sense especially since this was only my second match of the year. Also, unlike other divisions, Single Stack let’s you play with up to two extra rounds if you opt to shoot minor. In year’s past there were stages where the extra rounds were beneficial and you could actually save loads. That and I just love the my new Smith & Wesson Pro Series 9mm 1911 with custom work by Pete Single. It is so much fun to shoot and this is the first gun I have used in a long time that was completely tailored to me.
I think the strategy paid off. This year there were several courses where 10 rounds were a benefit. The cons? A number of stages had really difficult targets. With very little A-zone, shooting minor is tough because you don’t want to drop the points. At the same time you can’t risk a miss or no shoot. I thought the match was VERY well balanced.
WoUSPSA – This is the beginning of your second year back on the shooting circuit. You had an incredible year last year, and are already off to a great start! You have obviously and very quickly figured out what works for you in terms of balancing your family, work and shooting career. Do you have any words of wisdom for women in the sport who want to enjoy the matches, shoot to the best of their ability, but don’t have a lot of time for the range?
Julie – Thanks so much! It’s rather funny because I certainly don’t feel like I have it figured out most of the time! I believe it is very important to set realistic goals for yourself on the range. If you know you aren’t able to practice like your competition, work as hard as you can and accept it. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember that when you are staring at the results. Be proud of yourself even on the days you don’t perform well and learn from them. I used to think shooting was EVERYTHING. My formula now is give 100% when I train and compete, celebrate my successes, enjoy my work and focus on my family.
WoUSPSA – I like that thought process … You won 8 of the 16 stages in the match. I personally witnessed you buckle down on the last afternoon and win 5 of the last 7 stages. Your performance was awe-inspiring! What was your approach going into and during the match and what did you have for lunch on Saturday? : )
Julie – The easy answer first – For lunch I had a half a burger on the range and secretly drooled over the yummy desert offerings. : )
I believe I won seven and tied for the stage win on the Standards – AWESOME SHOOTING KIPPI! I felt really good competing the second day. I didn’t shoot a perfect match but I was very determined and focused. I find that with less time to train, the more deliberate I am, the better I shoot. Shooting with several of the top men and four incredible lady shooters on the squad was a lot of fun. Now that I think it of it, it was rather unique. We all celebrated and congratulated one another when we had a good run. The competition was fierce but never harsh. Talk about a wonderful shooting atmosphere!
WoUSPSA – It really was … So, which was your favorite stage design in the match and which stage was the most challenging for you and why?
Julie – My favorite stage design in the match was “Light It Up.” It was a 22 round field course with 10 IPSC targets and 2 pepper poppers. There were four walls with openings and about 10 different ways to shoot it. Difficult set ups, challenging shots and critical steel really set it apart for me. I ended up shooting “just ok” on it but that’s the kind of stage I want to shoot over and over again until I feel I have done my best. The most challenging? “Just Passing Time” and “Risk Takers 2” were just plain hard. There wasn’t a lot of room in the A-Zone shooting minor to get good points and the no-shoots were frightening, especially shooting with strong and support hands!
WoUSPSA – It’s probably hard to choose, but which stage did you shoot your very best on and why? : )
Julie – My highest result was 15th overall on “Just Passing Time” – it was an 8 round Virginia Count Stage with four shots from support hand only. I had a miss on that one but lots of people struggled on it. I am most proud of “ET Phone Home” though. I was just .63 seconds slower than Rob Leatham’s stage winning time of 3.10 seconds. I nailed the draw and shot good points. : )
WoUSPSA – Whew … nice run! It’s always memorable and satisfying to keep up with the stage winners! Now, tell us about the equipment you used in the match, what your favorite gun modifications are and what you absolutely cannot do without at the Single Stack National Championships!
Julie – I love my gun! : ) I mentioned earlier that it’s a S&W Pro Series 9mm 1911, but has had some serious TLC by Pete Single. First things first – a sight change to the sights I love for competition, Warren Tactical Sights. Pete also added a custom fiber optic front that just GLOWED. Super thin VZ Grips with a cut out for my thumb helped to make reloads easier with my small hands. This gun also has a Stan Chen magwell that doesn’t extend off the frame like a lot of other mag wells. I never had to worry about seating my mags and it really helped me get consistent reloads. Finally, I like my triggers with a lot of roll and to break between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds.
WoUSPSA – Sounds like a sweet setup! We always get great reports about the Single Stack Nationals. As a Professional Shooter and captain of Team Smith & Wesson, a double-digit USPSA National Champion, an RO, and someone who has attended more international matches than most, what did you think of the match this year? Do you have any commendations and/or constructive criticism?
Julie – That’s quite a list, LOL! I think this is the best match I have shot in a while. There were no tricks or gimmicks, just shooting tests. I grew up competing in these kinds of matches and I love how EVERY skill is tested. Even though many matches on the circuit don’t incorporate all the basic skills, I still strive to be a well-rounded shooter.
My only criticism would be to have USPSA more involved with the match to install the qualities, traditions and rules that apply to the other USPSA National Championships in recognizing stage winners, special categories, prize distribution, etc.
WoUSPSA – Historically, as compared to other shooting events and National Championships, the SSN does not attract quite as many women. What do you think we can all do to get more ladies attending Single Stack competitions?
Julie – I think it comes down to the grass roots of the sport and the understanding that you don’t have to shoot a .45. With more and more 9mm 1911’s on the market, its easier than ever to compete with less expensive 9mm. At the local club level, it is important for clubs to design stages with ALL the divisions in mind. This keeps all the shooters wanting to come back for more. I personally love shooting the single stack and if anyone is out there thinking of giving it a try, GO FOR IT!
WoUSPSA – Not to change focus from your amazing Single Stack victory, but with Rob Leatham winning the SSN again, and Jerry Miculek dominating with Revolver, you are the only USPSA shooter that has the ability to attain a National Championship Title in all 6 USPSA Divisions. Does attacking USPSA Revolver Division in the next few years ever enter your mind?
Julie – It has. I have shot the International Revolver Championships a couple times now. Like Single Stack, I love the challenge of the low capacity divisions. We’ll just have to see! : ) Editor’s note: Since this interview was conducted, Julie attended the 2010 IRC and won the Ladies’ Open World Championship title! Congratulations!!
WoUSPSA - Thank you so much for your time, Julie! In closing, would you like to comment on anything about the match?
Julie – I’d like to congratulate Rob on his amazing undefeated run in Single Stack. It was a nail biter and incredible to watch. I would also like to thank my squad for making this match even more memorable for me. The match staff was AWESOME and your hard work is greatly appreciated. Finally a huge thank you to the wonderful people who made it possible for me to shoot so well at this match – my husband, mom and dad, Pete Single, Rob & Kippi Leatham, Smith & Wesson, Warren Tactical, ASYM Ammunition and all my sponsors.
WoUSPSA – Congratulations again on your USPSA Single Stack Nationals win … your first of many this year, I’m predicting! : )
We know Sara’s been busy with work, so until we hear back from her, take a look at her shooting a 22-round stage from the match, “Light It Up”.
Congratulations on your 2nd place national finish, Sara!
WoUSPSA – Congratulations on your 4th Place finish, Nancy! Tell us about your match performance.
Nancy – Thanks! I shot on Wednesday with the staff. For most of the match we only had 4 on our squad. It’s tough to give your best performance when you are running the timer and you are also the on deck shooter. I did fine for about my first 11 stages, then the wheels came off.
WoUSPSA – Working and shooting a national championship event has to be very challenging. The fact that you performed well for such a large portion of the match is amazing! You not only shot well, but you worked one of the most controversial stages in the match after recently submitting your test to be a USPSA Range Master. We think that’s just awesome by the way.
Nancy – We did have a bit of controversy on our stage. :-) I think they gave me this stage as an extension of my final for the RM certification. I enjoy working the matches. I also really love the competition. I don’t want to give up either, just yet, so this way I get the best of both worlds.
WoUSPSA – What an awesome way to look at it! Was the stage you worked your favorite stage? (If no, which one was?)
Nancy – No, I’ve never been good at Bill Drills so this was certainly not my favorite. My favorite stage was stage 2, Peek & Seek.
WoUSPSA – What was your best stage and why did you do so well?
Nancy – My best stage was Stage 12, ET Phone Home. I hit my draw and was lucky enough to get all A’s.
WoUSPSA – All A’s – that’s IMPRESSIVE! You shot minor in the match, a common theme for all Top 4 women. Do you find it an advantage?
Nancy – I noticed that right away when I looked at the results. I think the advantage for me is recovery time from shot to shot. It is much quicker than if I am shooting major. It allows you to shoot faster and you have more rounds, but you have to put more emphasis on shooting A’s. Some call it a “cheater” gun. I tell them they can shoot one too if they think it’s “cheating”. :-)
WoUSPSA – What do you like most about shooting Single Stack Division?
Nancy – I have always loved single stack. I think it’s the one division that everyone is using the same equipment and gear and it puts everyone on the same playing field. The first time I shot the SS Classic was in 1998. I will keep going back as long as they keep having it.
WoUSPSA – Thanks for taking the time to talk about the match with us. Congratulations on your finish and especially for your hard work in officiating the match!
Editor’s Note: Nancy compiled a video of her shooting a couple of the stages at the match, but I was unable to view the file (and haven’t taken time to research the issue). The link is below if you’re feeling lucky and wish to download to your desktop.
Since I couldn’t view the file, I created a quick video tribute (above) to Nancy with the little footage I had of her from the match. Her stage was a little tricky, so I did not get much video. Was too busy changing my mind about how to shoot it! : ) Sorry Nancy!
For more information on how to become an RO, CRO or Range Master for USPSA, visit the National Range Officers Institute web site – NROI.org
WoUSPSA – TD, congratulations on your Top 8 Finish! How many nationals have you competed in?
TD -This was my third nationals.
WoUSPSA – With the split squadding format, it was really fortunate that a lot of us got to shoot together. Can you tell us about your match?
TD - It was a great weekend. I was satisfied with my shooting. I believe shooting so many stages is the best test to see where your skill level is. The opportunity to shoot with the super squad was incredible as well. It’s more pressure to shoot with top competitors. Although I don’t get nervous, I just felt more pumped up to do well. But like any other squad, there was a lot of goofing off and laughing to offset the importance of the match.
WoUSPSA – We were so sad to see that you just missed making major. You were able to adapt quickly and it didn’t seem to phase you. Tell us what you did to make the most of it.
TD - Well…at first I was devastated. My heart sunk. I had chronographed fine the week before, so not making it wasn’t even on my mind. We all know how much time and effort it takes to make even small improvements in this sport. I felt as prepared as possible going into the match. My game is dependent on making the major points. Going minor, I knew I wouldn’t finish where I wanted. In the end, it cost me 91 points. After a few minutes of being in the chrono daze, and with some encouraging words from Lisa, Julie and Kippi, I snapped out of it and put it behind me. After all, there’s no cryng in shooting!!
WoUSPSA – Great motto! Did you have a favorite of the 16 stages?
TD - I generally like field courses. Peek and Seek was a 22-round stage. It was all about shooting on the move for the first 4 targets, then transitioning to targets and steel through two small openings between walls. It was kind of a stage you’d see at your monthly club match and fun to shoot. I also liked Risk Takers 2 and Just Passing Time. These were the freestyle/strong hand and weak hand stages. They made even the top shooters anxious. Here you wanted a good time, but had the risk of hitting no shoots!
WoUSPSA – You ROCKED Stage 14 – the all-steel stage in the match. Congrats on the ladies stage win! What did you do to prep for this stage?
TD - It was my turn to go first on stage 14. I wanted to be steady and go shot for shot on the steel. I started pretty smooth and just continued to focus on my front sight. It worked out as planned.
WoUSPSA – Your run was so impressive that we filmed you breaking down the stage and have posted the video to Women of USPSA on You-Tube. Thanks so much for doing that for us … we’ve already had lots of great feedback from your breakdown! Now, what did you think of the rest of the stages?
TD - Julie did some amazing work to get that video up. Due to a corrupted audio file, I had to send her a voicemail a few weeks after the match describing the stage. Ha! She made it work! Back to the match – the rest of the stages were a good mix of short, medium, dark, fast and intense shooting. Everything you need to test all your skills.
WoUSPSA – Yeah, it was great that all aspects of our shooting were “tested”! What do you like about shooting Single Stack Division?
TD - I like the weight and feel of the 1911. I also enjoy the reloads!
WoUSPSA – … and it shows, as you certainly don’t waste any time when reloading! TD, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Do you have any comments you would like to add before we go?
TD – A big thank you to my sponsor Canyon Creek for providing me with a beautiful gun that I love to shoot. It’s been exciting for me to have gone from buying my first gun in 2006, to taking the Babes with Bullets camps in 2007 and 2008, to now shooting the Nationals with these incredible ladies who were my instructors and are now friends. Thanks Girls!
Thank you to the staff at the Single Stack Nationals, too. They were professional, fair and fun with all of us. I look forward to seeing you all next year!
Great getting to know TD a little better! Stay with us, as we’ve got six more interviews to share …
Check out this picture video of some of the ladies who compete at the pistol matches held by Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club in Mesa, Arizona. These photos are from the Usery Pass Pistol League match held on April 11, 2010. Enjoy!
Debbie Keehart & Giving Back To Our Sport:
At least once a year I like to put myself on the worker side of our sport and RO a major match. I just worked the Western States Single Stack Classic held in Mesa, AZ at the Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club.
After only 2 days, I have a renewed respect and appreciation for our Range Officers and Staff.
An RO has a great responsibility to be fair, accurate, and helpful to all the competitors. Yes, it is hard work and tiring; but, I always find it rewarding and enjoyable as well.
I urge all you shooters to volunteer to RO or be part of the staff that runs a major match. It’s a good learning tool for many things, even your shooting skills! And remember, Range Officers and Competitors are all on the same team! Working together is what keeps our sport going!
Thank you to everyone for being part of this game!
Debbie Keehart
Sue Little & How Taking RO classes has helped her become a better shooter:
When I RO, I get the opportunity to watch and learn from the top women shooters in the country. I watch and listen to how they set up a course of fire for themselves (break down the stage) and how they economize their movement—from mag changes to footwork.
Could I get great information like that from video or private lessons? Perhaps, but not under the same conditions. Yes, practice is the key factor of our sport; however, you have to know how and what to practice correctly.
I have also learned so much by shooting with the ladies group (HerHandgun.com) that meets once a month at Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club. Check the calendar and join us if you’re ever in the area!
Of course, the most important thing in our sport is to be safe, which is why I so enjoy contributing as an RO. I never thought that what started out 6 years ago as learning how to protect myself, would progress to a fun, new hobby of pistol competition, officiating … and 8 new guns!
Have fun & try on that RO hat some time …
Sue Little
Have thrown together a quick video of a few stages from the Western States Single Stack Classic. Would have loved to have been able to film ALL of the ladies, but we were squadded all over the range. : (
Maybe when I retire, I’ll be able to cover all competitors! The filming and video editing is so much fun, but not quite enough to make me want to not shoot!
Enjoy!
Kippi
USPSA
