BOULDER CITY, Nev. — Jorge Rodriguez of Henderson, Nev., was an unknown in the field of rifle shooters at ESPN's Great Outdoors Games qualifying event here Saturday.

But if you'd known the background of the 39-year old businessman, his victory wouldn't have been a surprise.

Rodriguez' ability comes naturally. His 73-year-old father, Luis,
once was a nationally recognized rifle shooter in Mexico. Rodriguez said his father taught him to shoot a rifle at the age of 9 or 10, and he's done it ever since.

"I love the shooting sports," said a smiling Rodriguez, "and I love putting my skills to test against the best."

Rodriguez' skills were definitely tested.

In two of his three matches, he trailed going into the final four targets known as the dueling tree. But Rodriguez calmly kept his opponent from finishing out the match by turning back targets on the dueling tree until he could catch up and finish out the match himself.

Rodriguez defeated Keith Brown of Greensboro, N.C., in the finals qualifier for ESPN's Great Outdoors Games V, which will be held in Madison, Wis., beginning July 8.

"This is the first time I've shot this game, but I've competed a lot," said Rodriguez. "I'm a very calm shooter. Pressure doesn't bother me."

Rodriguez was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. In 1987 he moved to San Antonio, where he eventually joined a group that competed in the Sportsman's Team Challenge shooting series.

Just more than two years ago a business transfer brought him to nearby Henderson, Nev.

Rodriguez achieved his goal by competing at Boulder City.

"I think the Great Outdoor Games are very important to the shooting sports, especially rifle," he said. "I don't see many other rifle shooting competitions on TV."

Thanks to his performance at Boulder City, Rodriguez will soon be able to see himself on TV.