Press
Utah Summer Games Welcomes Three Hundredth Athlete, Phillip Jensen
Friday, March 16, 2007
By Ashley Smith
It will be his first time shooting a gun in the Utah Summer Games, but certainly not the first time ever shooting a gun.
Philip Jensen, the three-hundredth USG registered athlete, will participate in several shooting events at the Games. Born in St. George and raised on a farm and cattle ranch in Mesquite, Nev., Jensen has been shooting and hunting most of his 40 years of life and has quite a gun collection.
"At the moment my gun collection consists of a Rossi 20 GAUGE / .30-06 SPRG BLUE BREAK OPEN MATCHED PAIR, Hi Point 9mm Carbine, Hi Point 9mm Pistol, and a 30-30 bolt action savage I hunted with as a kid. I plan to purchase a Berreta in .22 caliber to compete in the Games," he said.
Jensen said that his first time hunting is his proudest hunting moment.
"I was 12 years old and I used a black powder rifle to hunt with," he said.
Jensen participated in silhouette shootings while attending Valley High School in Mesquite.
"Mr. Whipple, who was a teacher at our high school, was an avid hunter and he built guns as a side business. On the weekends, (Mr. Whipple) would set up the shooting range over in Bunkerville, Nev., with silhouettes and we would have shooting competitions. The silhouettes would consist of chickens, turkeys, rams and pigs cut out of metal and set in varying distances. The object was to nock the silhouettes down with 22's," he said.
Jensen has been aware of the Games for the last three years, and finally decided to register for this year's events. He said that he heard about the Games from radio and newspaper advertisements.
Jensen has many interests beyond shooting and hunting.
"I am a member of the (United States Chess Federation) as well as the St. George Chess Center. I am a rated chess player and (have enjoyed) participating in the National Open in Las Vegas for the past three years along with smaller tournaments in St. George and Las Vegas. I play the acoustic guitar to relax; I am self taught. I also enjoy drawing portraits in graphite. I read a lot of history and am involved in politics," he said.
Jensen said he thinks chess helps his concentration for shooting.
"Chess definitely helps your concentration. However, fatigue can play a part in chess just as any physical sport; you start to wear down after long periods of competition," he said.
Jensen will prepare for the Games by participating in some shooting events in Northern Utah in May.
"I plan to attend a couple of events in the state to help me understand the process the shooters go through. I am sure there are certain rules and procedures at the firing range that I would like to understand before I compete in the Summer Games. I also want to observe other shooters techniques. May 4 through May 6, there is an international pistol event in the Salt Lake City area I plan to attend," he said.
Jensen said that he is nervous to compete in the Games.
"I have not competed in this sport on this type of level. I will be shooting against people that have probably done this high level of competition for years and have all the top of the line equipment. But, I am excited to give it a shot and see how well I can do," he said.
Anytime some one delves into any new experience, it never hurts to have a cheering section. In Jenson's case, that section has always been filled with family.
"My family is my life. That's why I get up and go to work every day to provide for their needs. I have a desire for my children to have a great education and be well rounded. My wife supports me in everything I try to do," he said.
If you are interested in more information on the Utah Summer Games, visit the website at http://www.utahsummergames.org/ or call (435) 865-8421.
The Utah Summer Games is Utah's oldest and largest Olympic-style sports festival. The event takes place every June in Cedar City, UT and offers over 54 different sporting events, including Badminton, Arm Wrestling, Lacrosse and of course Shooting.
Labels: Athletes
