MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The Depot Rifle/Pistol Team swept away the competition as they took all the awards in every category at the Gateway Gun Club Pistol Match on Jan. 18-19, in Jacksonville, Fla. "This match was a gauge to let the team know where they stand as far as Marine Corps matches. Now we know - this team right here is going to nationals," said Cpl. James Ruiz, Depot Rifle/Pistol team member.Ruiz was the overall match winner, placing first in the .45-caliber pistol and second in the .22-caliber pistol classes."My [personal] goal is to win nationals and go on to the Olympics," said Ruiz.First place overall went to Sgt. Juan Guerrero-Benedetti who also took first in the .22-caliber pistol class.Second place overall was Sgt. Josh Hughes who also placed third in the .22-caliber pistol class.Overall third place honors belong to a disappointed Sgt. Ronald King who also took third in the .45-caliber pistol class behind Sgt. William Denson's second place in the class."I'm not that pleased with my performance because I know I can do a lot better," said King, a third year team veteran and the team's pistol coach. "Now I'm going to practice and work on bringing everything back to the center and getting ready for the next match."Practice is something the team knows all about. They've spent the last month practicing everyday to get ready to compete."We've each been firing at least 50 rounds from three different pistols every day," said King. "I've seen substantial improvements in everyone."This match allowed some of the new team members a chance to experience the stress of competition."You can shoot well in practice and that's one thing," said King. "But when it comes down to it at a match, sometimes the pressure can be too much."Team members, who are used to being the best shooter on the line, find that firing next to someone who is hitting all black can be a little un-nerving, said Ruiz. In this competition the team also competed against shooters who were firing with more expensive, modified weapons, he added."When you're out there standing next to a guy who's got a scope and all you have is iron sights, it can kind of throw you off, especially if you're new. But going out there and whipping up on 'em really boosts our confidence level," said Ruiz.Team officials are pleased with the team's performance and are looking forward to what the team will do for the season."We did well this weekend, but we're not stopping. We spent a day cleaning weapons and recovering, but we went right back at it the next day to continue to run the course of fire and keep the Marines ready to win," said Chief Warrant Officer Timothy Soignet, Depot/Rifle Pistol team officer in charge. "This team is hungry and will continue to do well."The team has another stepping-stone on their road to nationals February 24-26 when they compete at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. against the Cherry Point team.