It started with a new hobby.
When I was 10, I received money for my Holy Communion and wanted to use it to try something new. That new hobby was paintball, and my first games were at Quickshot Paintball.
Dad played with me until I felt comfortable playing on my own. My early rec-ball days were about messing around with friends and having fun. One of our favorite memories is getting “smurfed”: getting shot in the hair with blue paint until we looked like Smurfs.
Before the tournaments,
there were days like this.
Friends, rec ball, and blue paint in our hair. Those memories are still a big part of why I love the game.
Quickshot PaintballI didn’t get here on my own.
Dad.
There from the first dayMy dad played alongside me until I felt comfortable playing on my own. Having him there helped me get started.
Mouse.
The headband I still wearMouse gave me my first mask and headband. I still wear that same headband today.
Gabbie.
A way into youth speedballGabbie told me about local youth speedball teams I could join. She helped me see where I could take the sport next.
Bo.
My first X-ball coachBo helped me get into speedball and became my first X-ball tournament coach. He coached me with Bombsquad and at one event with Filthy Kids. He also made my first JT mask.
Don.
A huge part of my journeyDon owns the team I play for now. I’ve played for his team for three years, and he’s a crucial part of my paintball journey.
A bigger game, one step at a time.
Gabbie helped me find local youth paintball teams. I started with Riot Kids in EPL 3v3, then moved into D5 X-ball with Bombsquad. I began playing X-ball tournaments at 12. After Bombsquad came Filthy D4 and Filthy Youth, where I play now.
- 01EPL 3v3
Riot Kids
My first team and my introduction to team competition.
- 02D5 X-ball
Bombsquad
The next step. I started X-ball tournaments at 12, with Bo as my first coach.
- 03D4 + Youth
Filthy
Where I play today, growing my game with Don’s team.
Today, I play the Dorito side. Aggressive moves, snap shooting, and gun skills are the strengths I bring to the field. Winning a 1v2 to get to the finals is one of the moments I’m proudest of.
The memories matter, too.
One of my favorite ION memories is playing with my friend Mitch. We went shirtless, had a lot of fun, and both bought our first electronic paintball markers at the event. I’ve also shared ION with my brother and Dad. It’s not just the competition I remember. It’s who I was there with.