CHARLESTON, S.C. – Meet Emrie Fast-Clarke, the rifle athlete who finds grace in competition and peace in photography. Discover why her “different" mental approach – filled with energy, shared meals, and team fist bumps – is the secret to her success at The Citadel.

Fast-Clarke recently finished her sophomore year at The Citadel as one of the team's leaders, and enters her junior season consistently praised by her teammates on her relentless energy.

For many cadet-athletes, the path to The Citadel is shaped by discipline, opportunity and a sense of belonging. What drew you to The Citadel, and specifically to the rifle program?

“I was originally drawn to The Citadel because of my high school. I attended Sarasota Military Academy, where everything we do at The Citadel was already being instilled in me. I was on the rifle team there, and our coach, Riess Pellegrino, always helped us reach out to colleges and make sure we had somewhere we would love to go,” said Fast-Clarke. “I’ve wanted to go to The Citadel since my sophomore year of high school, when I attended a CMP camp and one of the counselors there was from The Citadel. She told me all about the school and how the rifle team felt like family. After that, I did everything in my power to make sure this is where I would land.”

For Fast-Clarke, balancing the demands of cadet life and Division I athletics is a daily test of discipline — one that has grown more manageable with experience and routine.

“Although it’s hard to balance cadet and athletic life, it’s doable, and once you find your rhythm, it becomes easier. Knob year was especially hard because of the demanding tasks from our cadre and upperclassmen, but carving out time during the day to practice became a safe space for me amid all the chaos in the battalion. Being an athlete helped me during my Knob year and taught me to manage my time and focus on cadet life at the same time,” said Fast-Clarke. “Yes, I was still able to attend parades, SMIs, and other cadet duties, but when I prepared for these things, it came easily because I knew the goal I was working toward. As a sophomore cadet, it’s much easier to manage both worlds. I’m given the freedom to move as I need and to do what I can to be present in the corps and on my team.”

Different athletes have different ways of mentally preparing for a competition. For Fast-Clarke, her approach is to stay energized, enjoy the moment, and, of course, eat a full meal.

“My mental approach before a match might be a little different from the rest. Since our team is like a little family, I find it better to stay talkative, stay energized, and not get into my head. Unlike some of my teammates, even if I’m super nervous for a match, I do my best to talk to everyone and stay happy, which helps the match flow,” said Fast-Clarke. “I always do my best to eat a full meal before I shoot in a competition. After testing it for years, I know that’s what’s best for my shooting. My goal is to stay happy and calm and try not to stress myself out over a match, no matter how big it is.”

Rifle is a sport that demands near-perfect precision, and for Fast-Clarke, learning to control her breathing and building the confidence to make the shot are the focus of her work.

“One technical aspect of my shooting that I have worked on over the last two years is my shot process. Going into each shot should feel smooth, steady, and consistent. On the team, we were given clickers. For each shot, we clicked through our entire shot process. A shot process helps keep us steady and ensures we’re not changing anything for the best outcome. I take a couple of breaths, pick up my rifle, and hold for a few seconds as I approach the target,” said Fast-Clarke.  “Once I’m settled in my position, I gently squeeze the trigger, hold, follow through, and take a deep breath. It’s important for me to do this because I struggle with something called “overholding” and find myself having to reject the shot more often.

“When you overhold, you diminish your confidence and say, 'this shot needs to be a ten, but I don’t feel like it is,' so, in turn, you lose focus, balance, and a good shot. When you focus on a shot process that helps you, you don’t need to find the shot; the shot will be there, and you just must trust that you know what you’re doing. As someone very wise once told me, ‘Don’t shoot bad shots.’ Because as a shooter, you know what is and isn’t a bad shot.”

The Citadel greets every cadet-athlete with a challenge. Fast-Clarke motivates herself by finding grace in a foundation of competition and teamwork.

“Several things keep me motivated in such a demanding environment," Fast-Clarke noted. "The idea that I’m blessed to be part of a team, the chance to attend different matches and improve year after year, the knowledge that shooting will help me in my cadet and academic life by keeping me calm and collected, and the team around me. Each of these people is one of my best friends, and they keep me pushing and motivated even when times get tough.”

Being part of a team is always a memorable experience for any athlete, with long trips, hotel stays and simply forming bonds with fellow teammates and competitors. For Fast-Clarke, being with her consistently provides memorable experiences.

“When you’re around a team you absolutely love, every day feels memorable," Fast-Clarke said. "If I had to describe a feeling, it’s when my best friends and I are side by side on the line, waiting for the competition to start. We don’t see each other as competitors but as a team, and we give a fist bump for good luck. I’m blessed to have people by my side who care about the outcome of my shooting as much as their own, not just the score but how it felt, too.”

The opportunity for some R&R seem few and far between for both cadets and cadet-athletes alike. For Fast-Clarke, developing a skill set beyond rifle has proven an everyday escape, and weekly rituals with friends help keep her focused when she returns to the grindstone.

“I feel it’s important to pick up hobbies beyond my sport and school life. For me, it’s photography. I discovered this passion at the end of my Knob year, taking photos for my teammate, and it’s only grown since then. I find joy in capturing people and their emotions. Taking, sorting, and editing each photo is how I like to relax. And of course, the view count on my social media posts gives me great joy. Other than that, I spend my time with my roommate, teammate, and best friend, Meghan Mix. We like to go out on Sundays for the tradition of Sunday Pho at our favorite spot. These things keep me going and help me improve in the range and as a cadet.”