2023 USPSA Carry Optics Nationals Jacob Hetherington

I placed third overall at this match.

I started off rough the first day in a 60ish point hole. The second day I made back 20 points. The third day Christian Sailer pulled way ahead and I was able to even out with Nils throughout the day till the second to last stage. I lost 10ish points trying to hero the last stage to get into second and secured the third place position.

After that first day I shot more risky plans and pushed where I could, and where I couldn’t (adding some errors and penalties).

The last day I shot the most risky plans I felt were realistically possible and rarely connected, pushing too hard to make up as much as possible. I felt the fastest/riskiest plan shot calmly still wouldn’t be enough.

It was a fun match and I learned a lot. Next year my goals are to shoot more confident and consistent. I am going to focus on managing my mental game to try and breakthrough some holdbacks from pressure.