Published: July 19, 2008 05:00 pm         

Local to compete in 2008 Olympics

Bret Erickson, shooting instructor for the Willawalla Creek Shooting Center in Saint Jo, won the National Finals Trap Shoot March 9-12, in Kerrville, TX. This win will send him on a special trip this summer.

Erickson said, “I was four birds ahead of the nearest shooter.” This means that Erickson will be making his fourth trip to the Olympic Games! He feels pretty positive about his chances.

“Maybe this year is my year to win the gold,” Erickson said.

The Olympics will be held August 8, 2008, in Beijing, China. Erickson said, “That’s 8-8-08. The Chinese believe eight is a lucky number. They think they’re going to win.”

The location of the Olympics is causing some political strife around the world evidenced as the Olympic torch arrived in America and was greeted by protestors connected to the crisis in Tibet.

Erickson said, “I’m not concerned about going to China. I’ve been there before. I’ve been all over the world, shooting. You get used to it.”

Erickson, 47, Of Muenster, TX, has competed in 14 World Championships, 8 World Cup Finals, and more than 30 World Cup events. He competed in the Olympics in 1992, 1996, and 2004. However, the 2004 and 2008 Olympics almost did not happen for Erickson.

Six weeks before the 2004 Olympics began, Erickson’s heart stopped beating. Erickson was running in a training session at Fort Benning, GA, where he was an instructor for the Army Markmanship Unit for 22 years.

Erickson said that everything started spinning, and he turned off the track and headed for the grass. Fortunately, his teammate, Mark Weeks, happened to be an emergency medical technician. It took two minutes for his CPR to work.

The doctors determined that Erickson had a bifascicular block. He needed a pacemaker. Erickson had the surgery, and fully recovered in time for the 2004 Olympics. His brush with death made his desire to win even stronger.

During the selection matches for the 2004 Olympics, Erickson set a national doubles record, earning him two berths on the Olympic team: in trap and in trap doubles. Erickson said that there have only been three people in this country who have qualified in two shooting events.

After the 2004 Olympics, Erickson retired from the Army. His friends Johnny and Nita Weger of Saint Jo learned of his retirement, and asked Erickson and his wife, Lisa, to run their Olympic Shooting Range in Saint Jo, TX.

The Willawalla Creek Shooting Center is a training site for the U.S. Olympic and U.S. Army Shotgun Teams. Here, Erickson and his wife, Lisa, host corporate events and outings. Erickson gives personal coaching to the clients in Trap and Skeet Shooting. Erickson also travels to other gun clubs to coach various shooting clinics.

Erickson hopes to start an Olympic Training Camp this summer to help shooters achieve their goals in becoming Olympic Shooters. Erickson said that there really is not any instruction available to help shooters between the learning stage of shooting, and becoming an Olympic Shooter. Erickson said, “Most people don’t even know it’s an Olympic Sport.” He said that he spent many years figuring it out by trial and error. “It takes talent and a willingness to work hard, to become an Olympic Shooter.” Erickson said. “This camp will be kind of a stair step program from learning to shoot, to becoming an Olympic Champion.” Erickson said.

Shooting since he was ten years old, with his father, Erickson explained, “I have lived my whole life for shooting.” Before having to have the pacemaker, shooting was the most important thing in his life. “My priorities have changed a little, now.” He said. “Unfortunately, to get to this level, it almost has to be the most important thing in your life. But I’m already here.” Erickson said.

Erickson was quoted at the 2004 Olympics saying, “I don’t know about 2008, it’s so far away.” Well, 2008 is here, and Erickson is back! “Maybe this year is my year to win the gold,” he said.

He said all the young guys that he competes with ask him, “Hey, Grandpa, when are you going to retire?” “When you can beat me” Erickson concludes.

Stephanie Marshall may be contacted in care of

josbornegdr@ntin.net