Two Matches are Better than One!
Maria Ayme | Published on 8/20/2026
Sometimes the best way to learn something new is to simply jump in, take a deep breath, and say, "Well...here goes!"
That's exactly what I did when I competed for the first time in both Steel Challenge and USPSA. I was excited, nervous, curious and I felt a little like I had walked onto a movie set without being handed the script.
There is something both exhilarating and humbling about showing up to your 1st competition. You may know how to shoot, but competition shooting adds an entirely different layer. There are timers, stages, targets, movement, people watching, equipment to think about, and that little voice in your head reminding you that someone is about to say, "Are you ready? Standby." For a few seconds there's nothing left to do but breathe, focus and wait for the beep.
Steel Challenge: Stand Still & Shoot Fast (August 8, 2026)
I quickly learned that standing still does not necessarily make shooting easier. The concept sounds simple enough: engage the steel target as quickly and accurately as possible. But when the timer went off, those targets seemed to have developed personalities of their own–and none were interested in cooperating!
Steel Challenge requires speed, accuracy, concentration and consistency. You repeat stages, trying to shave off fractions of a second while still making hits, and for me there was a surprising lesson: Standing still was harder than moving.
USPSA: Wait...Moving Helps? (August 16, 2026)
Then came USPSA, and suddenly I was moving! USPSA brought an entirely different kind of challenge. Instead of concentration on shooting quickly from a stationary position, I had to think about movement, stage plans, transitions, positions and where I needed to be next. I found myself shooting better when I was moving than when I was standing still.
From set up and safety to registration, scoring, stages, equipment, range ops, 100-degree heat, and all the countless details that competitors may never even notice - these events don't simply happen. They happen because people show up, work hard, volunteer their time and care about making the experience a good one for everyone involved.
When I look back on my first Steel Challenge and USPSA matches, I realize my biggest victory wasn't a score or a stage time–it was having the courage to step outside my comfort zone and try something new. I learned that competition can be nerve-racking and exciting all at once; that the right equipment matters and there is always something new to learn. I may have arrived feeling like a novice, but I left with more confidence and one very important thought:
"When's the next match?"
Maria Ayme RN BSN
USN Veteran (1987-1992}