Babine hits the mark at Lucky Seven Rifle Match

Mark Robinson

Anabella Babine (center) celebrates with her friend Victoria and her mother Melissa after making GHS history with her fourth place win.

Annabella Babine walked up to the starting position with her rifle in hand, took a deep breath, and let the shot fly.

After Gloucester had not seen a top finisher in 15 years, Babine took home 4th place and made rifle team history at the recent Metro League Lucky Seven Match.  

“It was only my second time going there, so it was kinda nerve-racking,” Babine said. 

Babine won a medal in the shootout event, which consists of ten 1-minute rounds to load the rifle and shoot. The point system goes: 1 point for yellow and 5+ points for black.  There were 22 competitors total. 

This was Babine’s second experience in a rifle competition since entering high school. Her mom and friends introduced her to the sport, and encouraged her to give it a try. 

“My mom was in ROTC and went to nationals on a rifle team, placed second and got to Colorado, and Georgia, and she wanted me to try it out,” Babine said. “I ended up really liking it.” 

Babine competed at a high level against a deep and competitive group of older athletes that day. 

“I tied with a senior, and when they called his name in 5th place, I was shocked because I just got one more bullseye than him,” Babine said. “After I came back, everyone was hugging me because it was the first medal that the rifling team had gotten in 15 years.” 

Babine represented Gloucester NJROTC well at the competition and hopes to continue her dominance in the upcoming meets.

“The whole team did very well at this competition,” NJROTC instructor and CPO Mark Robinson (ret.) said.   “But Annabella separated herself amongst her peers as a top tier shooter. I am very proud of their effort this year and look forward to what future seasons bring!”