Matthew Liao, a sophomore at Yorba Linda High School, days after his time competing in the 2016 Rifle & Pistol World Cup Bangkok.
His friends say he’s silly, funny, and all around sweet guy. A sophomore at Yorba Linda High School, Matthew Liao, also is an outstanding athlete for the USA Shooting Team for the Air Rifle. Here’s a run down of his achievements:
Member, USA Shooting World Cup Team, 2016 Rifle & Pistol World Cup Bangkok, Thailand
41st Place, Men’s Rifle 50 meter prone event
Silver Medal, 2016 USA Shooting California Junior Olympics, Air Rifle
Bronze Medal, 2016 USA Shooting California Junior Olympics, Smallbore Rifle
Intermediate Junior National Champion, 2015 NRA National Rifle Metric Prone Championship
1st Place Club Team, 2015 NRA National Rifle Metric Prone Championship
6th Place, 2015 USA Shooting National Junior Olympics, Prone Rifle
12th Place, 2015 USA Shooting California Junior Olympics, 3-Position Rifle
State Champion, 2015 USA Shooting California Junior Olympics, Smallbore RIfle
State Junior Champion, 2015 California International 3-Position Rifle State Championship
State Junior Champion, 2015 California International Prone Rifle State Championship
Gold Medal, 2014 USA Shooting National Championships, 3-Position Rifle, Class C
Silver Medal, 2014 USA Shooting California Junior Olympics, Smallbore Rifle
Silver Medal, 2014 California 3-Position Rifle State Championship
Silver Medal, 2013 USA Shooting National Junior Olympics, Prone Rifle
Sub-Junior National Champion, 2013 NRA National Rifle Prone Championship
State Junior Champion, 2013 California Prone Rifle State Championship
2nd Place Team, California State Rifle Team, 2013 NRA National Postal Championships
Junior Team National Champion, 2012 NRA National Rifle Prone Championships
Set 31 National Records in Rifle Shooting
As only a 16-year-old, Matt has truly stood out as an athlete and student. Beyond his abilities to succeed in his sport, he is also a heavily involved student at Yorba Linda High School. Currently, he is a member of the California Scholarship Federation, the National Honor Society, the Yorba Linda High School Academic Decathlon team, and many other clubs. Beyond his talents for air rifle, he also plays the piano as a hobby!
So you may be wondering, air rifle is quite the odd sport to be involved in, how did Matt become involved? Well Matt says, “[His] dad took me to the range for fun and I liked it so I started competing.” He makes it sound so simple, but it truly is a difficult sport that tests accuracy and skill. Fortunately, Matt has found a great passion for the art of shooting, and he attributes it to the “sport and the friends [he has made].” Already, Matt has had quite the sport career, and his favorite moment to look back on is “qualifying for [his] first national junior olympics. His future goal? The Tokyo Olympics! We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, Matt. Yorba Linda High School is proud to have you represent us.