Event: Rifle Targets

2000 GOG Finish: Bronze Medal

Hometown: Godfrey, IL

Age: 54

Height: 6'2

Weight: 255

Marital Status: M

Occupation: Machinist

Background: Maples says the key to victory in the Great Outdoor Games is to shoot well, shoot fast and be aware of how well your competitors are doing. He enjoys shooting rimfire rifles because he can practice all day long for only a few bucks, and the low noise lets him shoot in a lot of places where a higher caliber gun would be restricted. Maples builds the rifles he competes with.

Quote: "If more people competed in this type of match there would be less anti-gun sentiment."

Competitive History: Member of seven winning STC National Championship Teams; Bronze Medalist, 2000 Great Outdoor Games Rifle competition

Strengths: Learned to shoot a rifle as a STC competitor and therefore shoots faster than someone who learned shooting paper targets

Weaknesses: Competes mostly in team events; seldom shoots as an individual

Coaches/Mentors: Herman Backstroke, metallic shooting