SGT Nickolaus Mowrer
10m Air Pistol
Nickolaus was twelve when he attended his first NRA high power rifle match. Hired to sit in the target pits and operate targets for the shooters, he soon borrowed a rifle and ammo for his own turn. “Once I fired my first shot, it was all over,” he says. He began as a junior shooter, worked his way through the sport in a college environment, bringing Montana Tech University its first National Championship. Afterwards, he accepted a scholarship from The Ohio State University, then earned residency at the Olympic Training Center, where he has trained for four years. Nickolaus is a four-time national champion and seven-time national record holder, and he made his first Olympic team in 2012.
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Career Highlights
2019 - 2x Pan American Games Silver Medalist
Team Finalist, World Cup USA. Nickolaus made a great showing in the mixed team event, which will make its debut at the 2020 Olympic Games. He and his partner, a Colorado-based civilian female, came in 4th place overall – and look to continue their ascent. Nickolaus’ 2018 accomplishments also included competition in the 10m air pistol finals at World Cup Mexico. “I came in 8th place overall,” he says. “I had a bad shot early on, so was eliminated in the final.”
CMP Double Distinguished Designation, Rifle and Pistol
Bronze Medal (Rifle Men’s Prone), World Cup USA. Nickolaus’ achievement at this event marked him as a unique competitor on the shooting scene. “It was the first time someone has competed in both rifle and pistol – and a pistol competitor won in rifle,” he says. He is the only high-level competitor in the world who shoots in both types of events....
....How did other international competitors react? “Their minds were blown that I was competing – and even more that I medaled,” he says. Even though he’d specialized in free pistol previously, he didn’t medal in it this time. He’d shot a world-class score, but wasn’t allowed to compete for medals in both events.
Eighth National Shooting Record. As an eight-time national record holder, it’s hard for Nickolaus to choose one that stands out. “Seven of those records were outdoor recreational prone, and some were pretty old records, dating from the 70s and 80s,” says Nickolaus. More impressive: his records still stand. “It’s one of those things,” he admits, “they were so good to begin with, they stay.” But he recalls one time in particular, where “gun, ammo and position came together for me with a .22 caliber small bore rifle at Raton, New Mexico.” ...
...At the elite level, shooters can feel the minute differences between rifle barrels and boxes of ammo. “My training cycle at that time was at its peak, too,” the 11-time All American says. “I was very strong, very steady.”
15th Place, Free Pistol, Olympic Games. Nickolaus went to the Olympics in one of the few events from the original modern games. He competed in London as a civilian, but that experience motivated him to give the Army a look. “I felt like it was a strong enough performance, and I wanted to continue in shooting sports,” he says. He enlisted, later joined WCAP, and now the seven-time National Champion shoots three-position rifle and 10m air pistol.
2008, 2010 - 2012 - 4 Time Collegiate National Champion