How exciting! We’re welcoming a new volunteer for the Women of USPSA websites, Beth Naumann. As a woman in the industry, range officer and a new shooter, Beth brings a lot to the table. Learn more about our newest addition to the Women of USPSA administration team…

WoUSPSA: Tell us a little about yourself.

Beth: The youngest of three daughters, I was born in northern Missouri and moved to Mid-Missouri (Columbia — home of the NRA Bianchi Cup) in 1981. I was quite the tom boy growing up (climbing trees, making mud pies, making forts, etc.) and have always had a love for the outdoors. It wasn’t until I started working for a well-known shooting, hunting and outdoor products distributor, MidwayUSA, where I really expanded that love to include shooting sports (action pistol and sporting clays) and hunting turkey and whitetail deer. October marks my 9th year here at MidwayUSA and I have done a lot of growing up while being employed here. Over the years I have become and Lifetime NRA Member, Eddie Eagle Volunteer, Certified NRA Basic Pistol and RSO Instructor and an Amateur Gunsmith. In 2009, I married my husband Matt who is a Deputy Sheriff in a neighboring county and a SSGT in the Missouri Army National Guard. We live in Boonville, MO with my daughter Lauren, 9, and his son Kimble, 14. We have two dogs and two cats. I recently became my daughter’s Girl Scout Troop Leader. I also love Genealogy, scrapbooking, reading and shopping.

WoUSPSA: What an impressive volunteer background! We understand you have worked the prestigious NRA Bianchi Cup. Tell us about that experience.

 Beth: Working action pistol matches is fairly new on my resume as I only recently became an NRA certified range safety officer. I began working the Bianchi Cup in 2009 as a Range Officer on Match II, the Barricades. After the first day of the event, I was hooked and immediately told myself that one day I would shoot the Bianchi Cup! I became more involved with Bianchi in 2010 as the Marketing Assistant, a volunteer position. The NRA staff and competitors were such a pleasure to work with and I felt so welcome that I knew I would be working this event for years and years.

WoUSPSA: What got you interested in competing in USPSA?

Beth: Working for a shooting, hunting and outdoor products distributor, I have been introduced to a number of new things since I started working here in 2001. Competitive shooting is one of those things. There are several guys around the office that shoot competitively, mainly 3-Gun, but several shoot local IPSC and IDPA matches. While I have been a recreational shooter for several years, after working/attending the NRA Bianchi Cup, I decided that I needed to start shooting on a competitive level. I started paying close attention to female shooters like Julie, Kippi, Randi, Vera, Jessie and even youth shooters like Molly Smith. Watching these ladies excel in a mostly male sport made me realize that I too wanted to get involved not only as a shooter, but as an advocate for other women who might be interest in the shooting sports as well. I shot my first match a couple months ago and was hooked immediately after the first stage. Now I know why people do this for a living. It’s so much fun!

WoUSPSA: That’s awesome, Beth. As a new shooter to the sport what do you find most challenging?

Beth: Remembering all the rules for the matches. Thankfully, my friend Don is there to help out with a lot of question. I refer to the handbook a lot. It provides so much useful information to new shooters. Before my first shot ever as a competitive shooter, I was really worried about all the other shooters watching me. I’m sure most newer shooters have that same challenge. After I completed that first stage, my adrenaline took over my fears and I was pumped up and ready to rock it!

WoUSPSA: We think a lot of women have that same fear starting out, but like you, once they give a go, they are hooked. What division(s) do you shoot?

Beth: Limited 10 and Production.

WoUSPSA: What are your goals as a shooter?

Beth: My short term goal is to attend as many matches as I possibly can and train as much as possible as well as learning all the rules for USPSA, IPSC, etc. I have a great mentor that has helped with me drills and techniques that will improve my shooting and overall performance. I recently qualified as a C-class production shooter. With no official training, I’m extremely proud of myself and know that I will only get better with time. My long term goal….shooting full time for a sponsor would be fantastic! Shooters like Randi, Julie and Kippi are highly regarded in the industry and I would love to have a status similar to them.

WoUSPSA: It sounds like you are well on your way earning your C Card so quickly. What made you decide to volunteer as a Woman of USPSA?

Beth: Being new to the shooting sports as a competitor and a woman, it will allow me to learn more about the sport from a woman’s perspective as well as meet women that have been shooting for years. This will not only benefit my own goals, but it will allow me to pass along that knowledge to other female shooters. I think it’s extremely important that we remind ourselves, and the men out there, that if they can do it, so can we!

WoUSPSA: We love the way you think!  Thanks so much and welcome to the team!