PRESS RELEASE 

USSA (United States Shooting Academy) Tulsa Oklahoma, Site of the 2006 USPSA Open National Championship. 

21-year-old, Apex, NC resident, Chris Tilley is the youngest person to ever win the coveted USPSA Open National Championship title.  Chris has won many state and regional titles, as well as two IPSC World Junior titles, but the National title has eluded him until this year.  Considered one of the top shooters in the world he is noted as being one of the most progressive competitors in the action shooting sports. 

 Oct 11-14, 239 Competitors from around the world converged on the USSA (United States Shooting Academy) just outside of Tulsa Oklahoma for the 2006 USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) Open National Championships.  18 very challenging courses of fire and 4 days latter, one man stands alone.  Chris Tilley has won 8 of the 18 stages overall, finished 2^nd or 3^rd on 5 more, and finished in the top 10 on 16 of the stages.  A very impressive finish, the next closest competitor, the defending National Champion was 27 points behind and over 112 points spread between 1^st and 3^rd place.  

 Chris is now part of a very elite group of only 7 people to have ever held this title.  He gives credit to God, his family, his sponsors, supporters and everyone who has believed in him, for his success.  It is clear however that his work ethic, drive and determination are a big reason for his success.  His physical training includes ice-skating 3 times a week for body tone, lower body strength and balance and countless hour of dry fire practice as well as 30+ hours a week live practice when preparing for a major match. 

 In between his busy training and match schedule he teaches competitive shooting classes and works in the family Sporting goods business in Raleigh.  He is planning on pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.

 In 2002 at age 16, Chris represented the US at World Shoot XIII, held in Pietersburg (Polokwane), South Africa, winning the World Junior Title and the Gold.

 Again in 2005, he represented the US on the Men’s Gold Team to World Shoot XIV, held in Guayaquil, Equador. Again winning Gold and becoming the first person to ever win the Junior World Title twice. 

 Other Shooting Accomplishments:

2006 Limited Nationals, finished 2^nd place overall, only 2 points from 1^st

2006 Multi-gun Nationals, 4^th Place Overall

2003 Open National Points Series Champion

Top 3 finish, US Open Nationals 2004, 2005

Junior Open National Title 2003, 2004

Junior Limited National Title 2000

Multiple Regional and State Titles

Match Report Excerpt by Saul Kirsch (www.doublealpha.biz)

Chris Tilley is a young man, just 21 years old, but he is as focused and as dedicated a shooter as you are likely ever to meet! And a great talent to boot. Chris came into today with a slight lead over seasoned champion Max Michel, and we were all curious to see how he would hold up under the pressure. Some had doubts. And Max was certainly putting all his considerable skills into trying to close up that gap...
But Chris hung in here, protecting and even increasing his lead, as he once again out shot all the members of the Super Squad, and stamped his authority on this match. Well done Chris, you are a true a champion!

2006 Open Nationals to be aired on the OLN program “Shooting USA” (dates to be announced) 

www.uspsa.org  

www.shootingusa.com

www.usshootingacademy.com

www.christilley.com