Benelli Pro Shooter Dakota Overland, 17, Wins USPSA

Racking up win after win with her M2 ... what's next for this wunderkind?

by posted on June 20, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Dakota

When it comes to racking up win after win, it’s pretty clear that what a pro shooter team really needs to fill their trophy cases is plenty of high-caliber (if you’ll excuse the pun) young women behind the trigger. The latest proof of this concept is Dakota Overland, the 17-year-old shotgun wunderkind on Benelli’s pro shooter team. Young Dakota just won the 2020 U.S. Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Multigun Ladies National Championship using her trusty Benelli M2 shotgun, beating 17 other female competitors in 12 different stages to take top honors.

Like many young pro shooters, Dakota got started in the shooting sports as a tween, but her first entry into the world of guns wasn’t as a competitor; instead, she built her earliest shooting experience hunting pheasants, ducks, geese, grouse and turkeys with her family.

At the age of 12, she began shooting competitively after participating in a tactical shotgun match and finding herself hooked on the thrill of competing and winning. She represented America at the 2018 International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) in France, where she garnered a bronze medal. But she although she had the skill and the heart, the much-younger Dakota found that shotgun recoil was a barrier.

"I started shooting the Benelli M2 two years ago," said Overland. "I was a lot smaller then and the recoil of the M2 is much less than my previous shotguns. This allows me to get back on target quickly and make fast and accurate shots. You can't beat the performance, and it has allowed me to better my skills and allow for serious growth."

"Dakota is a great ambassador for the shooting community and the Benelli brand," said Benelli Vice President of Brand Marketing Timothy Joseph. "She has accomplished so much at an early age and is sure to continue to grow as a shooter and become one of the top competitors in the nation. We congratulate her and wish her the best for the remainder of the shooting season."

A round of applause for Dakota is in order—and we think there’s much more to come!

 

Latest

Rao Off Season Rifle Getting Into Position Photo By Rao
Rao Off Season Rifle Getting Into Position Photo By Rao

It's Time for Your Rifle's Off-Season Check-Up

When fall hunting season is just around the corner, summer is time to make sure your guns and gear are in shape for shooting.

The Armed Citizen® Reload July 18, 2025

A spousal abuser and a registered sex offender met their fate while attempting to carry out their crimes. 

Want to Become an Outdoors Woman? Here's One Way to Start.

The successful BOW program (Becoming an Outdoors-Woman) began in 1990 in Wisconsin but its popularity as one of the leading programs for women has propelled its expansion into 38 states.

Winchester Safes Donating to Kerr County Flood Relief

Through July 31, 100 percent of its profits from online sales will go to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.

The Headrest Safe Company Introduces Compact Model

Take your firearm, cash, medications and more in your vehicle and relax knowing it will stay out of the hands of kids, valets or intruders.

What’s a Monolithic Bullet?

What do monolithic bullets do, and what are they good for?

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.