In her newest series at The WON, Avery Skipalis interviews the women of Team GLOCK. First in the lineup is Morgan Leonhardt, who became the youngest USPSA National Champin and IPSC World Champion by the age of 15. ~ The Editors
Meet the youngest member of Team GLOCK and a force to be reckoned with. At just 18 years old, Morgan Leonhardt is making waves in the competitive shooting world with a level of skill, composure and discipline far beyond her years. A national and world champion, Morgan has already achieved milestones of which many seasoned shooters can only dream.
In this exclusive Q&A, Morgan shares her journey to Team GLOCK, what drives her passion and where she is headed next, both on and off the range. I’ve met with members of Team GLOCK in the past, like at last year’s SHOT Show, and it is always a privilege to speak with this group of leaders in the industry.
Q: Can you describe your experience getting on Team GLOCK?
Morgan: I started shooting a GLOCK 34 when I was nine years old and have always looked up to Team GLOCK. Ashley and Michelle were on the team at the time, and I thought they were so cool. When I was 12, I met Shane Coley and told him I was going to shoot for Team GLOCK one day. He laughed and told me to work hard – and I did.
Things took off after I won Carry Optics Nationals at fourteen and the World Shoot at fifteen. I was the youngest female to win either event. That is when GLOCK reached out and invited me for an interview. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. It truly felt like the perfect fit. This has been a long-held dream of mine, and now that I’m living it, I’m incredibly thankful.
Q: What advice would you give to women who want to get into pistol shooting and competitions?
Morgan: Just do it. I have introduced women to the sport who had no experience with USPSA or competitive shooting. By the end of our class, they were moving with confidence and ready to compete. If you know someone who is already in the sport, consider attending a match with them. They can walk you through gear setup, stage planning and mental prep.
If not, visit PractiScore’s website to find local matches and contact the match directors. Many matches offer a new shooter orientation. You can also watch a match beforehand. It really helps to see how everything flows. Most importantly, learn the firearm safety rules, especially the 180-degree rule, and become familiar with your gear through dry fire practice. Preparation makes all the difference.
Q: What is your favorite GLOCK pistol and why?
Morgan: Right now, I’m shooting the GLOCK 17 MOS, and I love it. It’s reliable, smooth and fits me really well. I started with the GLOCK 34, which I still love for iron sights because of the longer slide. Lately, I’ve also been shooting the GLOCK 47 MOS. It’s fast, and the recoil is super easy to manage. I often recommend the GLOCK 47 MOS to others, but the GLOCK 17 MOS is my classic go-to.
Q: Who or what do you credit with helping you develop a love for shooting?
Morgan: My dad. He’s in law enforcement and started by teaching my brother and me the basics of gun safety. I asked to go to a match with him one weekend and ended up shooting several stages with my little .22 rifle. I loved it. The next weekend, I shot the entire match, and that’s when it all began.
Now we train and travel together, constantly challenging each other to improve. It’s truly special to share this with him. We even have a ritual of finding the best ice cream spot wherever we go.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the shooting sports community?
Morgan: The support. We are all competitors, but we genuinely root for each other. Even your biggest competitor might be your biggest cheerleader on a rough day. We lift each other up and keep the energy fun and encouraging. That sense of community is one of the main reasons I love this sport.
Q: What are your goals for 2025?
Morgan: My biggest shooting goal was to win Carry Optics Nationals, and I just did that. It was a huge milestone for me, especially since I had not won since 2021. I had a rough first day at the match, but I stayed focused, fought back and learned a lot about mental toughness and resilience.
Outside of shooting, I am starting college at LSU this fall and majoring in pre-law. I’m not yet sure which area of law I will pursue, but I would love to work within the shooting community someday. Maybe in a corporate or legal capacity. I am really excited about this next chapter.
Q: Are there any final words you’d like to share?
Morgan: If you’ve never tried shooting, definitely look into it. You might be surprised how much you enjoy it. And if you are already involved, do not let one bad day discourage you. We all have them. Keep training, stay consistent and do not give up.
It was truly an honor to speak with Morgan Leonhardt. I admire how she has remained persistent and committed to her craft since such a young age. She spoke her position on Team GLOCK into existence and backed it up with hard work and consistency. Morgan is excelling both on and off the range, and I am incredibly proud of her.
Avery Skipalis is the owner of Skip’s Tactical Solutions, an organization that focuses on empowering women, men and children to make sure that no one else becomes a victim. She gained her firearms experience from the military where she’s been a military firearms instructor for 10.5 years. She’s also a certified NRA rifle and pistol instructor and Glock Advanced Armorer since 2015. She’s attended Sig Sauer Academy, FNH, Special Operations Command Armorers courses as well as multiple Advanced Shooting Schools across the United States. She resides in Florida with her husband and 2 kids. She’s currently serving in the United States Air Force and loves sharing her passion with others. She thinks it’s important that women also feel like they’re in control of their own safety. View all posts by Avery Skipalis
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