Hilton High School sophomore Dominic Baliva has only been competing in precision rifle shooting for the past three and a half years, but already he’s qualified to compete this month in the National Junior Olympic Championships at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “I’m excited to see the training facility,” said Dom, who competed at NYS 3 Position Air Rifle Championship the past two years and won this year.
Dom trains at the Rochester Rifle Club in Brighton with Coach Abby Donovan. He also trains virtually with a former Olympian through Team Winning Solutions. Using a smallbore rifle and a precision air rifle, Dom aims at a target that is a little bigger than a half dollar. There are three shooting positions – standing, kneeling, and prone – and marksmen have 20 shots in each position. A microphone attached to the target then scores the shot electronically.
Dom, who started out learning archery, said he loves the sport because of how supportive the competitors, coaches, and spectators are during practices and competitions. In Colorado, his goal isn’t to beat his competitors but to score his personal best. “The sport is 90 percent mental,” said Dom. In fact, he can see the tiny movement of his pulse as he aims and tries to shoot between his heartbeats for the most accuracy – a true test of mind over body.
The National Junior Olympic Championships is one of the most competitive precision shooting events and will help select the 2024 Junior World Championship Team. Dom will be competing with the top precision shooting athletes in the United States.
“I’m hoping that precision shooting will help me get into college,” said Dom. Recognized as an NCAA sport, scholarship money is available and only about 100 seniors per year apply. Interested in forestry, Dom said he’s considering the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, which also has a good precision shooting program.
Dom is the son of Marcus Baliva and Amy Merica-Grierson. Dom’s dad and stepmom, Carrie, are traveling with him to Colorado for the Championships.
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