John “Jack” Writer
Hall of Fame
Date of birth:
09/17/1944
Hometown:
Yorkville, Illinois
College:
West Virginia University
Olympic Experience:
- 1968 Olympic Games - Silver - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1972 Olympic Games - Gold - 50m Free Rifle 3x40 (World Record)
Biography:
John (Jack) Writer began shooting at the age of 12 on a fishing trip with his father in Wisconsin. After discovering he enjoyed shooting, he sought after shooting for the rifle club at Riverside Brookfield High School, where he graduated in 1962. He then attended West Virginia University and shot for their rifle team, where he earned All-American honors three times. After graduating from WVU with a degree in economics, he trained with the Army Marksmanship Unit for two years, and then retired a First Lieutenant in 1969.
Writer’s first big titles came when he won the intercollegiate championship in 1964, 1965, and 1966 for West Virginia. He added the 1967 U.S. title in smallbore position shooting before winning his silver medal at the 1968 Olympics. Before the next Olympics, Writer stamped himself as the man to beat with his performance at the 1970 World Championships, when he won the smallbore title, was second with the free rifle, and third in the standard rifle at 300 meters. At Munich he dominated the smallbore position event, setting a new world record of 1,166, which included a world record of 381 for the standing phase. Writer also won three gold medals in the Pan-American Games, all in the smallbore position match.
In his personal time, Writer enjoys competing in duathlons (riding/running) and sponsors the training of several U.S. athletes in this event. Him and his wife Ginger have two children; Kimberly and Randy.
Competition Highlights:
- 1967 Pan American Games - Gold team - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1968 Olympic Games - Silver - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Gold - 50m Standard Rifle 3x20 (World Record)
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Bronze - 300m Free Rifle Standing
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Bronze - 50m Free Rifle Standing
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle Standing
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 50m Free Rifle Standing
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver team- 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver team- 50m Free Rifle Kneeling
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver team - 300m Free Rifle Kneeling
- 1970 World Shooting Championships - Silver team - 50m Standard Rifle 3x20
- 1971 Pan American Games - Gold - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1971 Pan American Games - Gold team - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1972 Olympic Games - Gold - 50m Free Rifle 3x40 (World Record)
- 1973 Championships of the Americas - Gold - 300m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1973 Championships of the Americas - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1973 Championships of the Americas - Silver - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1973 Championships of the Americas - Gold team - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1973 Championships of the Americas - 4 team World Records in 50m Free Rifle
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Gold - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Bronze - 50m Free Rifle Kneeling
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle Prone
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 300m Free Rifle Standing
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 50m Free Rifle 3x40
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Gold team - 50m Free Rifle Standing (World Record)
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Silver team - 10m Air Rifle
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Silver team - 300m Free Rifle Kneeling
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Silver team - 50m Free Rifle Kneeling
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Silver team - 50m Standard Rifle 3x20
- 1974 World Shooting Championships - Equaled World Record - 50m Free Rifle Prone
- 1975 Pan American Games - Gold team - 50m Free Rifle 3x40