USPSA Handgun Nationals – Getting To Know Your Top 8 – Kaci Cochran, 8th Place Open

Courtesy of our friends at the Women of USPSA blog.

WoUSPSA: Kaci, congratulations on your TOP 8 finish at the S&W USPSA Open National Championships! What did you think of the stages at this year’s Nationals and did you have a favorite?

Kaci: The stages at this years Nationals were really good, 1000% better than last year. The balance of speed and accuracy really made this years match a challenge that separated the classes. I think that is what the nationals are all about!! If I had to pick just one favorite I would say Stage 5, but 15 and 16 were not bad either.

WoUSPSA: It is hard to choose sometimes!  What do you think of the range/match location?

Kaci: I like the convenience of the location; however I am not real wild about the range itself. I just cannot get used to the sound of bullets flying overhead constantly.

WoUSPSA: Agreed … A little unnerving.  How and why did you decide to shoot the make/model of gun in your division of choice?

Kaci: Since the first half of the Nationals was Open/Limited 10 the choice of division was pretty easy for me. Just not enough bullets in the gun for Lim10! Open was the choice. Limcat Custom builds my guns using STI frames. My gun is a Razorcat. I picked that model cause it just looked cool and Johnny Lim advised me that it would shoot really flat and run. He was right. The gun has been ultimately reliable from the very first shot.

WoUSPSA: Sounds like a great gun! How would you describe your performance? Were you happy with your match?

Kaci: I shot really well about 80% of the match, the other 20% not so well by my standard, but I am working on it. Overall I am reasonably happy, next year WILL be better!!

WoUSPSA: Great attitude! You actively compete in the Georgia Section and Area 6. With such high participation at your local club level, do you think it helps you prepare for matches like the Nationals?

Kaci: Absolutely!! The clubs in Area 6 and the Georgia Section do such a good job with the monthly matches. We are a little spoiled. Our local club matches usually have 6 or 7 seven stages every month, the quality of the stages are as good as most state and regional matches on a regular basis.

WoUSPSA: Speaking of stages, you posted 3 stage wins! How does it feel knowing you posted THE BEST scores on those stages over such a highly competitive field of women?

Kaci: It felt great! That showed me that all the hard work and preparation that I put into this match had paid off.

WoUSPSA: Well done, indeed! Did you learn anything about yourself as a competitor?

Kaci: I realize that I still have a lot of work to do to achieve my goals.

WoUSPSA: As a Top 8 contender, do you feel you should always have the choice to shoot with whomever you like?

Kaci: I really like having the choice to shoot with whomever you like no matter what class you shoot in.

WoUSPSA: What are the pros and cons of shooting with another squad vs. the Ladies?

Kaci: I like to have FUN!! Just so happens the Ladies at the Nationals are the BOMB, WE HAD A BLAST!!

WoUSPSA: Fun is what it’s all about! Was this your last major match of the year or do you still have more competitions on your schedule?

Kaci: I plan to shoot the GATOR CLASSIC in Louisiana the last weekend in October. The GATOR is on my list of DO NOT miss matches for the year! (Note: Kaci competed at the Gator Classic and finished an impressive 13th OVERALL and 2nd Lady!)

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

Kaci: The off season here in Georgia is pretty short. I usually take a couple of weeks off, and then I work on my problem areas during the off season. Shooting is what I do to unwind.

WoUSPSA: A good plan … and what are your long-term competitive shooting goals?

Kaci: A) Win the Ladies Open National Championship, B) Be the first Lady to place in the top 16 at the Open Nationals and C) Be the first Lady GM. There are more but this will keep me busy for a while!!

WoUSPSA: Great goals! If you weren’t a competitive shooter, what do you think you would be doing?

Kaci: I would still be Barrel Racing and participating in Rodeo events!! I did this for several years, just not as much fun as shooting!!

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

Kaci: It is pretty mixed. Most people think it is great, others not so much!!

WoUSPSA: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us and congratulations once again!

Here’s a video of Kaci in action …