Balsley prepping for US Olympic trials
Submitted Photo by USA Shooting
Brad Balsley takes aim during a 25-meter rapid fire pistol competition.
Submitted Photo
Balsley
This is the next installment in a continuing series of articles over the next year where we follow the progress of our local Olympic hopefuls.
Brad Balsley doubled the United States’ quota in the 25-meter rapid fire pistol competition for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games to two with his gold-medal performance in last summer’s Pan Am Games in Toronto.
Now the 2006 Uniontown graduate, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit based in Fort Benning, Ga., has the opportunity to fill the quota he gained when he competes on his home course in early April. Keith Sanderson already filled one quota on the basis of accumulated points.
And, he’s got a 1-in-2 chance of doing so.
“Essentially, the competition for that one remaining spot in the RFP (rapid fire pistol) is a two-man race featuring (Brad) and four-time Olympian Emil Milev. Certainly a few select others might participate, but given a lack of depth in the field, there’s three men in the United States that shoot good enough scores in the event to be competitive — Brad, Emil and Keith (Sanderson),” explained Kevin Neuendorf, of USA Shooting. “Athletes will compete in three separate qualification matches and finals. The athlete with the highest cumulative rank at the conclusion of the competition will be named to the Olympic Team.”
Plus, Balsley gets to do so on the course he shoots every day.
“There’s more pressure. I know the range. I know what it’s like to shoot there, (which) can be good or bad,” said Balsley.
Milev, a native of Bulgaria, is a veteran in the sport, winning his first medal (silver in the 1994 World Championships in Milan) when Balsley was just six years old.
Milev and his family moved to the United States in 2004 and became a citizen in 2009. He is a physical education teacher at B.T. Washington Elementary School in Tampa, Fla. Milev has competed in four Olympic Games (2012, London, 13th; 2004, Athens, 8th; 2000, Sydney, 4th; 1996, Atlanta, silver medal), in addition to numerous World Cups and international competitions.
Balsley will be competing in his second Olympic trials, so he gained knowledge and insight as he prepares for the 2016 trials.
“This is the second time around, so I know how things work,” explained Balsley. “I needed to mature a lot, mainly mentally. Technically, I have it down.”
Balsley has worked with and continues to work with sports psychologists, in addition to shooting coaches.
“(The psycholigist) deals with the tingles and jingles (of competition). Practice is never the same as the actual event,” said Balsley. “The rifle coach, Jason Parker, is a four-time Olympian. He’s good with dealing the mental aspects. I already have what I believe to get to the top of my game. There’s a lot of similarities with rifle and pistol. We talk in the office.”
Balsley downplayed shooting on his home range.
“The range is the same in 25-meter rapid fire pistol. It’s the same targets. One range is like the other. The commands are the same,” said Balsley.
As with other sports, Balsley must know when to cut back in preparation for next year’s competition. He’s up-and-at-’em early each day, usually on the range at 8 a.m.
“It’s quality over quantity. It’s tough to maintain a level in this sport. There’s a lot of ups and downs. Talent quickly diminishes. I want to go into a match tapered down. The mind can magnify things. I’ll use the time to fix that little mistake.”
When Balsley toes the line, he acknowledged his biggest competition lies within.
“I’m shooting against myself,” said Balsley. “I beat myself. I can beat everyone else.
“I need to peak at the right time.”
And, in case he catches himself dreaming of being part of the march into Olympic Stadium next fall, Balsley also has a plan.
“I stomp on that. I can’t think ahead. It doesn’t help with what you’re doing right now,” said Balsley.
Balsley hopes to have the longevity of fellow USA Shooting Team member Milev.
“It’s a privilege to stay in (the marksmanship) unit for all 20 years,” explained Balsley. “It’s been nine years now. I like what I do. I’m glad I’m pretty good at it. We have a good team.
“I like where I’m at.”