USPSA Handgun Nationals – Getting To Know Your Medalists – Sue Irish, 3rd Place Revolver

Courtesy of our friends at the Women of USPSA blog.

WoUSPSA: Sue, congratulations on your medal performance at the S&W USPSA Revolver National Championships! What did you think of the stages at this year’s Nationals?

Sue: I enjoyed the stages this year more than last year’s. They offered a thorough mix and a good test of ability.

WoUSPSA: Did you have a favorite?

Sue: I could say the two that I had high lady stage wins on, but overall I really couldn’t choose a favorite.

WoUSPSA: What do you think of the range/match location?

Sue: The range and location are fine. I’d like to see it travel throughout the country every 2 or 3 years similar to how Area 5 has their area match switch states every couple of years.

WoUSPSA: You compete as a family with your husband Steve and daughter Sarah. What is it like shooting as a family?

Sue: We have our own little competition going on that’s fun. The outcome is often quite predictable. Sarah doesn’t shoot revo very often, so the family squadding together is rare at major matches. It’s always a good time.

WoUSPSA: It must have been nice to shoot together for this match. Now, down to the big stuff… You posted some stage wins – Congratulations! How would you describe your performance? Were you happy with your match?

Sue: Thanks! I was completely thrilled at the stage wins. Honestly, I couldn’t believe it. For most of the match I’d had a hard time staying focused. It seems on those two, I managed to keep it together. I could have done better given how I’d done recently at matches, but each match is a new day to go out and do the best you can.

WoUSPSA: So true! Putting together top performances like that is so rewarding. Now, you also volunteered as a Range Officer for the Open / Limited-10 event earlier in the week. Thanks for working the match! Did you learn anything about yourself as an RO? Were you able to recover enough from the four long days to feel strong as a competitor at the second match?

Sue: You’re welcome. Taking notes while reading the rule book is one thing, but I found that experiencing things hands-on helps a lot. Encountering a situation that hadn’t come up for me before was one thing that will help me remember what to do if it happens again. I knew competing with Sarah (at the second match) would be tough for me even though she was shooting my S&W 686 in 9 minor against my S&W 25 in .45 major. She’s quick. I wasn’t able to muster a strong competitive mindset for the match and it cost me on a few too many stages.

WoUSPSA: LOL, yeah Sarah is definitely quick! To stay energized, what is your snack and beverage of choice on the range?

Sue: With half day matches, I find I don’t often think about snacking. When I do plan ahead for it, I like to bring along Cliff bars and walnuts. Sometimes I’ll grab a banana off the breakfast bar. I drink water at every stage. When we bring the cooler, we bring along Gatorade.

WoUSPSA: Why do you think the participation is low for women in the Revolver Division and what can we do to change that?

Sue: It’s hard to put my finger on it, but some might view it as a slow division, making it less exciting than burning down a stage with a half pound trigger. Maybe some think it’s more difficult. We may take longer to get through a stage, but with most stages, we have lots of planning options. I’ve been thinking hard on what to do to improve participation by women and wish I knew the answer. Maybe highlighting it might help as well, as getting info to them that they don’t have to shoot only big caliber, powerful guns in competition. I think some women might be discouraged by the recoil of .45 acp. We converted the 686 (.357 magnum) to 9mm to make reloading quick and practically eliminated the recoil. It’s a sweet gun. When I first started revo, I was struggling with reloads and shooting .45 was a killer. The 686 conversion was a great way for me to get used to shooting a revolver and have fun doing it. I shoot mostly .45 major now that I’ve gotten used to it, but .40 is an option, too. It really is a tremendously fun division.

WoUSPSA: Well, Sue with you, your daughter Sarah and of course Annette, prospective women certainly have a lot to look up to. As someone who has competed in Revolver Division at the local, state, area and national level do you think USPSA and match directors do a good job of making the courses of fire friendly for all divisions?

Sue: I really haven’t ever thought about it much. I go to shoot whatever they’ve designed. Really the only time I get frustrated with the stage design is if it requires going to a low port more than once, or where the reloads have to come from somewhere else (such as getting back up off the ground and getting it off a barrel which was the case it this Nationals). Being slow to get off the ground makes it impossible to make up a shot. 6-shot arrays are fine, but having to make up a shot with revo can be a real big match-making decision. Makes getting all your hits critical.

WoUSPSA: Would you consider shooting the Revolver Nationals if it were combined with the Single Stack Nationals?

Sue: I would have no problem with that.

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

Sue: One major left this year, the Memphis Charity Challenge. It’s a good cause to support. I’m looking forward to a good match.

WoUSPSA: Good luck! With the match season rather lengthy, how do you typically unwind after all the matches have settled down?

Sue: That’s easy enough. It gets COLD out. When the snow starts flying and frozen fingers make for a rough time, then we stay inside and work on getting ready for next season.

WoUSPSA: Snow does slow the fingers down a bit doesn’t it? What are your long-term competitive shooting goals?

Sue: We’ll continue to hit as many matches as we can. We’ve met a lot of wonderful people traveling around the country to other clubs. A couple of goals I should work on are my weak hand (both reloads and shooting) and improving my timing on things that move.

WoUSPSA: And if you weren’t a competitive shooter, what do you think you would be doing?

Sue: Good question. Rather hard to tell. As a family, we’ve tried to expose our daughter to some cool things (horses, motorcycle touring, camping). I’d really have to think awhile on what I’d be doing instead. This hobby might be hard to top.

WoUSPSA: It is! Do you have any special talents or skills that you would like to share with us?

Sue: Graphic design, technical illustration and publications production.

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

Sue: Crazy, but I like mowing the lawn.

WoUSPSA: Wow. A woman who loves to shoot and mow the lawn? What a combination! How do you balance the demands of work, home, family and shooting?

Sue: Flexibility plays a role in it.

WoUSPSA: What kind of reactions have you had when you tell people that your hobby is competitive shooting?

Sue: Most are quite surprised. Some, after they’ve learned more, think it’s really cool.

WoUSPSA: What advice would you give to any new shooters in our sport?

Sue: Try it. You’ll like it. Don’t be intimidated by more experienced shooters. You’re not competing against them. Stick with it because you will continue to improve. If at all possible, try a ladies-only class. You meet the best people in this sport.

WoUSPSA: We couldn’t agree more! Finally, how did you and your family celebrate your awesome finish at the USPSA Revolver Nationals?

Sue: Got packed up to head out very early for the long trip home. My award wall is no longer bare. Woohoo!!

WoUSPSA: We’re so happy for you! Thanks again for taking the time to catch up with us. Congratulations once again!