Seventeen year old Brian Layfield has never seriously shot a gun until May of this year. Ever since he has become one of the best pistol shooters in the country.

Coach Allen White said his natural ability is unlike anything he has ever seen. He said that most people take at least 4-5 years before they progress to Layfield's level, if they ever progress that far.

Layfield's first competition was the Strawberry Match in Buckhannon, where he finished on top. He then went to a regional competition in Summersville where he won the Junior Unclassified competition.

Layfield's shooting improvement was stunning, so he then went on to the National Piston Matches at Camp Perry, OH where he won the Junior .45 Championship. He scored so well that he was slightly below the 2008 National Champion, Brian Zins.

Layfield's parents could not be more proud. But he is not the only great shooter in the family, Layfield's brother, Terry Jr., competes in rifle shooting. His little sister, Missy, hopes to begin a shooting career of her own next year.

The Army and the National Guard have contacted Layfield about possible scholarships, though he is unsure about what he wants to do. He hopes to attend college and obtain a degree in engineering. And he definitely hopes to continue shooting.