Firefighter hits mark in skeet shooting

Champion skeet shooter John Castillo Jr. Photo by Tony Bullard

By FLORI MEEKS
CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT:
One of John Castillo's favorite moments in skeet shooting was his world championship win in 1999.
The competition called for shooting 100 targets followed by an elimination round against the top 20-30 competitors in a stadium field. Castillo, a northwest Harris County resident, gave it his all without expecting to win.
I just hit it," said Castillo, 61. That is the greatest feeling in the whole world except for getting inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Castillo can speak from experience. On June 19, after nearly 30 years of competing, he became the first Hispanic shooter inducted into the Texas Skeet Shooters Association's Hall of Fame.
I'm very, very proud," he said. I worked very hard all of these years."
In addition to his world championship, Castillo has been on the Texas Open first team nine times, including three on the First Open Team. In 2009 he was the Texas State High Over All Champion.
Castillo is driven to succeed, friend Kyle Shumaker said, but he is happy to help others realize their goals as well.
He's probably one of the nicest men you'll ever meet," he said. He's always there to lend a helping hand."
The
Vietnam War veteran said he considers helping others one of the most important things he can do.
When I was in Vietnam I helped my fellow soldiers in the Army and other people. I came back to the world, and it was the same thing."
Castillo spent two years serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and after completing his education, joined the Houston Fire Department.
He has spent the last 25 years of his 32-year career serving from Station No. 64, 3000 Greens Road.
His journey as a shooter began in 1984 when he started visiting the Spring-based shooting range, Carter's Country, with friends. After building his confidence, he tried clay target shooting. Hooked, he soon became a regular fixture at weekend tournaments.
It's just the thrill of competing and beating someone else," he said. That's a big accomplishment when you go to a shoot and beat 200 to 300 people.
Sometimes you go home with your tail between your legs, but you still meet friendly people."
Excelling at skeet shooting requires eye-hand coordination, Castillo said, and great concentration.
You get up there, and you have to stay focused for 100 targets. You're doing the same thing over and over."
Qualifying for the TSSA's Hall of Fame required Castillo to demonstrate his abilities at multiple levels, including victories at state, zone and world competitions.
He also has successfully shot as many as 500 out of 500 targets.
Castillo said he intends to continue shooting and competing, and enjoying his family.