Tulsa, OK — Kirkland’s Travis Tomasie, a Sergeant with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, has, after 13 years, won his first national pistol title in the Limited Division at the Smith & Wesson Limited, Production and Revolver USPSA National Championships held September 7-9 at the U.S. Shooting Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“It feels so good to finally do it,” said Tomasie of his victory over a field of more than 230 top competition shooters all vying for the coveted Limited title. “I worked hard all year and felt as though I was peaking at the right moment here at the Nationals.”

Tomasie entered the final day of the three day competition in second place just under a point behind Ted Puente of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and nearly two points ahead of Manny Bragg of Kirksville, Missouri. Todd Jarrett, the nine-time national champion was in fourth, a little more than 16 points back but within striking distance.

But according to Tomasie, the final stages of the match seemed tailor made to fit his shooting style allowing him to move ahead.

“I went into day three behind but with a very positive attitude and felt that, with the stages that remained, the technical shooting required and the difficult target placement, the course really played to my strengths and I had the advantage,” explained Tomasie.

In the end, Tomasie won by more than 31 points with Jarrett in second surging on the last stage to move ahead of Puente. Finishing fourth was Shannon Smith of Tampa, Florida, and Bragg took fifth overall.

“I’ve been watching Travis come along over the years and the guy’s an extremely good shot. I saw him shoot his first Nationals, and while I’d rather it was me in getting the trophy, I’m real happy for Travis,” said Jarrett. “He’s in the club now.”

Starting Thursday, Tomasie will compete in the USPSA Open & Limited-10 National Championships as part of the back-to-back format of the nationals. He’ll be competing in the Limited-10 Division against many of the same shooters.