USPSA Handgun Nationals – Getting To Know Your Medalists – Megan Francisco, 3rd Place Open

Courtesy of our friends at the Women of USPSA blog.

WoUSPSA: Megan, congratulations on your bronze-medal performance at the S&W USPSA Open National Championships!  What did you think of the stages at this year’s Nationals? Did you have a favorite?

Megan: I thought the stages were great this year. I liked all the accuracy that was required. Even though some stages had targets that were really close, you still had to be careful because of all the hardcover and no shoots. I thought it had a good balance of speed and accuracy.  I didn’t really have a favorite, but from a performance standpoint, Stage 7 – Goldrush, was a great stage for me. It was the one with the double swinger you shot through the port. I was able to nail my positions and shoot the stage with no extra shots. That was a hard swinger, so to shoot it so well was really exciting for me.

WoUSPSA: Sounds like a very successful run – nice shooting!  What do you think of the range/match location?

Megan: Las Vegas is a great place for the Nationals. The range is terrific and it is so conveniently located to everything, which makes it really easy. And of course the weather is fantastic!

WoUSPSA: We did have great weather this year!  Coming in as the reigning Open Ladies National Champion, were you under any pressure?

Megan: I felt some pressure to try to shoot my best, but not because of being the reigning champion coming in to the match. I know that I have a lot of tough competition at every match and if I don’t perform at my best, someone else can win. With the caliber of competition we have in the ladies division, you always need to be on your game.

WoUSPSA: There is some serious competition, for sure!  So, when did you start training for the Nationals, and how much was range time compared to dry firing?

Megan: We actually had a really late start to the shooting season this year. Although I did shoot one major match in May this year, my season didn’t really get started until August. Unfortunately my dry firing went along with my live fire, so I didn’t even do much of that until late in the season.

WoUSPSA: How would you describe your performance? Were you happy with your match?

Megan: On the first two days I shot pretty consistently. I felt strong and relaxed. I had one penalty, very few extra shots and only a couple of D’s after day 2. When day three started, I had a lot of trouble relaxing and getting focused. My first couple stages that day were pretty rough. I was taking extra shots and making mental errors. I also had a penalty. Those stages cost me a lot. I knew that, but was able to put it together to finish strong on day 3 with stage wins on my last two stages. On day 4, we only had three stages left. I had a penalty and a few extra shots. Unfortunately they were all such small stages, there was little room for error. Overall though I would say I was happy with my performance.

WoUSPSA: Good to hear that!  When the match ended, you and Jessie were within just three points of each other. Upon seeing the results, did you go through the woulda-shoulda / if-only routine or was there any point you had regrets about how you tackled a given stage?

Megan: After seeing the final results, I did do a little of the woulda-shoulda. I thought about my last day’s stages. They were all so small it didn’t leave any room for error. On the first stage that day, I lost my balance while squatting. This caused me to be in an awkward position with a really bad grip; I lost my dot and took several extra shots (costing me a lot of time). I then shot 2 D’s on my second to last stage, which was really uncharacteristic of my shooting throughout the match, and I had a miss on my last stage.

Having those mistakes so late in the match certainly made me have some regrets. But then I think, those weren’t my only mistakes throughout the match and Jessie probably had some stages she would like to have a second chance at too. You can’t shoot a perfect match every time, and those stumbles are what make you grow as a competitor.

WoUSPSA: It’s always a learning experience … You and Rebecca shoot together and you are married to Ron Francisco – a great shooter himself. How important is it to have a support structure like that and how much of a role does it play in pushing you to be your best?

Megan: It is very important. Having the constant competition with Rebecca, even at my local club level matches pushes me all the time. I am able to test my skills every month against one of the best (now the best) women in the country. It lets me see my strengths and also what areas I need to work on. And although there is pressure to perform; shooting together also has a level of comfort since we are so accustomed to being together.

Having a husband who is a Grand Master is invaluable. I have learned (and continue to learn) so much from Ron. Not too many people can say they have a great coach and shooting partner next to them each time they shoot. This has been the biggest factor in my success.

WoUSPSA: That’s sweet – and we’re jealous! : )  Open Division usually has the highest number of female competitors. Why do you think women enjoy shooting Open and what can we do to get even more ladies to try the sport?

Megan: I have never shot any other of the divisions in the sport, so I really cannot compare.

As far as encouraging more ladies to shoot… well I think that everything you ladies at Women of USPSA have done so far is fantastic! Between that and the ladies camps that Kay runs, I believe more and more ladies are beginning to shoot.

WoUSPSA: Thanks for the nice compliment, Megan!  Did you learn anything about yourself as a competitor at the nationals?

Megan: Yes, it is always good to take something from each match – that is how we get better.

#1 – Don’t give up, keep working until the last shot of the match is fired (that is something I knew, but seemed to forget)
#2 – Don’t drink coffee before shooting….caffeine + adrenaline = not being able to relax and focus! (For me anyway.)

WoUSPSA: Love your #1 recommendation, but you’re right – sometimes it’s easy to forget!  Do you lift weights or do grip strengthening exercises to specifically build your muscles used in shooting? What other kinds of physical training do you do?

Megan: I usually work out 5 days a week. My mornings start with running and then follow with some weight training. I like to do sprints with my running, since that is what we do in competition. I also make sure that I always do upper body weights, especially shoulder exercises.

WoUSPSA: That sounds like a challenging, well-rounded routine!  In other sports, top contenders compete together. Do you feel that USPSA should require that established shooters and national champions shoot together or do you feel that competitors should always have the option to choose? What are the pros and cons of shooting with family and friends?

Megan: I don’t feel that USPSA should require established shooters to shoot together, it should be up to the competitor. For me, shooting started as an activity I could do along with my husband. Even though I have become better and am now a competitor for winning the ladies title, it is still first and foremost a hobby that I enjoy sharing with Ron.When we travel to matches, no matter what the match is, we are on “mini vacations”. The nationals are no different for me. I am there shooting as a hobby, on vacation and prefer to have the option to shoot with whomever I choose. If we were all professional shooters who were paid to shoot the matches, then I would say USPSA could determine which squad we shoot in.

WoUSPSA: Was this your last major match of the year or do you still have more competitions on your schedule?

Megan: This was the last. Time to pack up for a few months and take a break.

WoUSPSA: … a well-deserved break!  With the match season rather lengthy, how do you typically unwind at the end of the year?

Megan: I don’t have any trouble winding down. By the time the season is over, I am ready for a break. During the shooting season, we are so busy.  We don’t get to travel to see our families much or just spend time relaxing at home, so those are the things we do during the off season.

WoUSPSA: What are your long-term competitive shooting goals?

Megan: Well, I reached my goal of getting my master class card this past summer, so now the only thing left is the World Shoot!

WoUSPSA: Congratulations again on achieving your Master status!  That’s awesome!   Do you have any other special talents or skills that you would like to share with us?

Megan: I have made a few quilts and other crafty sewing projects and I make some pretty good homemade jam!

WoUSPSA: When you aren’t on the road or at the range, what’s one of your favorite activities to do when at home?

Megan: Hmm, there are several, but I would have to say one of my most favorite things is going “hunting” for treasures at my local thrift shops! I have found some really great things at the Salvation Army!

WoUSPSA: Treasure hunting – Sounds fun!   What advice would you give to any new shooters starting out?

Megan: Be patient, dry fire, ask questions and have fun! The learning process in this sport is never ending. You will start to make progress, then you hit a plateau and feel like you’re stuck. You have to be patient and persevere through that “rut”, then you will find yourself improving again.

Dry firing is an incredible tool. It will really improve your game. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The people in this sport are extremely helpful. Even at the top level, the shooters are always willing to help other shooters. You can learn so much by talking with them. And always remember to have fun, even on your bad days. That is what gets you through and encourages you.

WoUSPSA: That’s great advice, Megan!  Finally, how did you and Ron celebrate your awesome finish at the USPSA Open Nationals?

Megan: I hate to say it, but we really didn’t. We had a good time at the awards ceremony with all the other competitors and our friends, but then headed home and right back to work!

WoUSPSA: Priorities, priorities, huh?  Congratulations once again on your bronze-medal finish, Megan, and on making the US Ladies Team for World Shoot XVI!   Go Team USA!