By Britney Starr, Women’s Outdoor News
In this continuation of interviews with members of the women’s USA Olympic Shooting Team, we have the pleasure of speaking to Alaska native Corey Cogdell. Corey competed in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing where she earned a bronze medal in Women’s Trap and also placed 11th in the 2012 London Olympic games.
Britney: Who introduced you to shooting sports and at what age?
Corey: My dad got me started shooting when I was three or four years old. I got involved in the clay target sports when I was 14 through a local 4-H program.
Britney: Who are your inspirations/role models?
Corey: My dad has been an inspiration to me; he has shown a tremendous amount of strength raising two girls on his own after my mom passed away when I was nine. I get my strength and drive from him.
Britney: Do you feel like competing in the Beijing Olympics helped you to better prepare for London?
Corey: Every Olympics is so different and unique to itself, you can only prepare the best you know how and let the chips fall where they may. I do feel like I had a better idea of what to expect going into the London games.
Britney: Describe what a typical day is like for you.
Corey: I train five to six days a week from about 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., I will typically shoot rounds of 25 targets and run drills during that time. After shooting practice I try to work out three to four days a week, this takes up between one and two hours. After that, I try and come home get caught up on paperwork, laundry or house work. Then it’s dinner time and almost time for bed! During the season my days are pretty repetitive during training but during my off season I love to go to Denver Bronco games and cheer my boyfriend (defensive lineman Mitch Unrein) and his team on!
Britney: What is your favorite memory from London?
Corey: Walking into the opening ceremonies is one of my favorite memories. The feeling of pride and accomplishment for your country and yourself is indescribable.
Britney: During your time in London you were faced with threats from anti-hunters; did that affect your shooting? What did you do to try and cope with the situation? From what I could tell via social media, there was a huge outpouring of support from the hunting community.
Corey: I was viciously attacked by anti-hunters and some very extreme groups; it was very unfortunate timing and an unfortunate distraction. It’s hard to say if that had an effect on my performance or not but it was a very big learning experience and a great opportunity for me to share all the positive aspects of hunting and the hunting community. I did receive an outpouring of support from the hunting and outdoor community and that was really touching and encouraging to me through a difficult time.
Britney: What kind of exciting events do you have on your schedule for the near future? Any hunting trips planned?
Corey: I have some fun things planned for this fall including lots of Bronco football games, pheasant hunting in South Dakota and duck/goose hunting in Colorado.
Britney: Do you plan to compete in the next Olympics?
Corey: I am taking things one day at a time right now but I am still training and competing and have set my sights on Rio in 2016. You never know where the Lord is going to lead you, but I am excited to see where his plan for my life will lead me in the next four years.
We wish Corey the best of luck in her future competitions. Follow her and the other members of the USA Shooting team at usashooting.org.
Image Caption: Corey is shown here with her 12-gauge Krieghoff K-80 Sporter 30-inch shotgun. Photo courtesy of Tom Kimmell/Tom Kimmel Photography
Thanks to the team at Women’s Outdoor News – give their site a visit http://www.womensoutdoornews.com