Top Shot season 2 explained

Season Number:2
Bgcolour:
  1. 5d3954
Network:History
Num Episodes:12

The second season of the History Channel television series Top Shot, titled Top Shot Reloaded commenced airing on February 8, 2011, and concluded on April 26, 2011. The season contained twelve episodes, and was filmed over a period of 35 days in the fall of 2010 in Santa Clarita, California. The winner of the season was American Chris Reed.

Chris Reed later appeared as a coach in Seasons 3 and 4; George Reinas also appeared as a coach in Seasons 4 and 5.

Brian Zins, Joe Serafini, and Jamie Franks returned for Top Shot: All-Stars. Franks finished in 10th, Serafini finished in 8th, and Zins finished in 4th. According to Colby Donaldson's Twitter, George Reinas was invited to compete as well.

Contestants

ContestantOccupation / BackgroundOriginal TeamMerged TeamEliminated
Travis Marsh
37, Ruth, CA
Environmental Business Project Manager, eight-time State Champ for Running Game Targets, 14 years on the U.S. Shooting Team with rifle, 10-time National Junior ChampBlue Team16th Place
Athena Lee
32, Katy, TX
Oil company contractor & firearms instructor, competition shooter with various awards since 1999. USPSA Open Division Master (and one of only a handful of female Master class shooters)Red Team15th Place
John Guida
44, Buffalo, NY
Restaurant owner, 12-year USPSA member, competition shooter with various awards.Red Team14th Place
Jermaine Finks
38, Lancaster, PA
Federal agent & firearms instructor, US Army veteran, former Pennsylvania State Constable, Department of Homeland Security instructor in tactics, defensive measures and firearms.Blue Team13th Place
Maggie Reese
31, Chino, CA
Professional shooter, 13 years of experience in shooting sports with various awards.Blue Team12th Place
Eric Anderson
46, Webster, FL
Landfill supervisor, Marine Corps veteran and marksmanship instructor, certified hunting safety instructor for Florida fish and wildlife conservation, former police officer.Red Team11th Place
Chris Tilley
25, Raleigh, NC
Professional shooter & firearms retailer and instructor, competition shooter with various awards, USPSA Grand MasterBlue Team10th Place
Kyle Frasure
23, Anaheim Hills, CA
Server, competition shotgun shooter, expert .22 caliber rifle shooter, various awards.Blue Team9th Place
Daryl Parker
44, Ft. Smith, AR
Sheriff's lieutenant, Marine Corps veteran, certified Law Enforcement Firearms instructor.Blue Team8th Place
Jay Lim
35, Fullerton, CA
Golf instructor, competition pistol and archer shooter with various awards, Olympic training.Blue TeamGreen Team7th Place
Ashley Spurlin
34, Richmond, VA
United States Air Force Combat Controller.[1] [2] [3] Blue Team6th Place
Jamie Franks
31, Selma, NC
US Navy rescue swimmer, graduate of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Skills and Practical Weapons courses and Anti-Terrorism Force Protection/Deadly Force Training, Navy rifle and pistol marksmanship expert.Red Team5th Place
Joe Serafini
28, Bourbonnais, IL
Construction worker, Company High Shooter in Marine boot camp, Champion archer, qualified expert with both the M16 and Beretta 9mm pistols.Red Team4th Place
George Reinas
26, Cinnaminson, NJ
USAF US Air Force CPEC instructor certified, Air Force Security Forces pre-deployment Instructor.Red Team3rd Place

41, Poland, OH
Independent security contractor, former US Marine Corps Military Police Officer, combat marksmanship instructor for Marine Corps with rifle and pistol, Trained in FBI advanced firearms. 10-time NRA Conventional Pistol (Bullseye) Champion.Red Team2nd Place
Chris Reed
37, Greenwood, MS
Realtor, Marine Corps honor graduate and Company High Shooter, competition shooter with various awards.Red TeamWinner

Contestant progress

ContestantEpisodes
123456789101112
1Chris R.WINSAFEWINWINSAFEWINWINWINSAFESAFENOMWINBTM2TOP SHOT
2BrianWINSAFEWINWINSAFEWINWINWINWINSAFESAFEWINWINSECOND PLACE
3GeorgeWINSAFEWINWINSAFEWINWINWINSAFESAFEWINBTM2OUT
4JoeWINSAFEWINWINSAFEWINWINWINSAFENOMSAFEOUT
5JamieWINNOMWINWINNOMWINWINWINNOMWINOUT
6AshleySAFEWINSAFESAFEWINSAFENOMSAFESAFEOUT
7JaySAFEWINNOMSAFEWINSAFESAFENOMOUT
8DarylSAFEWINSAFESAFEWINNOMSAFEOUT
9KyleSAFEWINSAFENOMWINSAFEOUT
10Chris T.NOMWINSAFESAFEWINOUT
11EricWINSAFEWINWINOUT
12MaggieSAFEWINSAFEOUT
13JermaineSAFEWINOUT
14JohnWINSAFEQUIT
15AthenaWINOUT
16TravisOUT

The player's team (episodes 1–8) won the team challenge.

The player(s) (episodes 9–12) won the individual challenge.

The player's team (episodes 1–8) lost the challenge, but the player was not nominated for elimination; or the player (episodes 9–11) did not win the individual challenge but was not nominated for elimination

The player was nominated for elimination, but won an elimination challenge; or the player (episode 12) was in the bottom two challengers but won a tiebreaker

The player lost an elimination challenge and was eliminated from the competition.

The player voluntarily withdrew from the competition.

The player won the $100,000 grand prize.

The player came in second.

Episodes

Episode 1: "Sharpshooter Surprise"

Premiere datePreliminary challenge weapon(s)Preliminary challengeRed Team WinnerBlue Team Winner
February 8, 2011Sharps riflePlayers take one shot each at a 10-inch target from 200 yards. The two closest shots to the center of the bullseye get to pick the teams.Chris R.Jay
Team challenge weapon(s)Team challengeBenched player(s)Winning team
M1911 pistolShoot solid-color billiard balls (1–8) from 25–50 feet in ascending order, avoiding the striped balls (9–15) on the range. One shot per player per turn.N/ARed Team
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolverShoot at 8 suspended targets that move toward the player from 80 feet out. Players must hit as many targets as possible before they fall to the ground and out of play.Chris T., TravisTravis

No practice sessions were held for the preliminary and team challenges. The trainer for the elimination challenge was Bill Davis, a .44 Magnum expert.

Episode 2: "Shoot or Be Shot"

Premiere dateTeam challenge weapon(s)Team challengeBenched player(s)Winning team
February 15, 2011Colt Official Police .38 revolver, Paintball gunRun a relay race with 7 stations, firing at 3 targets from 30/40/50 feet at each; one shot per target. As players run from one station to the next, they must avoid paintballs fired by the other team, with a score deduction for each hit.JohnBlue Team
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
Thompson submachine gunFrom 25 feet, shoot through a porthole in a door at a red line on an 8-inch-wide board, trying to split it. Maximum six 50-round magazines per player.Jamie, AthenaAthena

The trainer for the team challenge was Steve Gilcreast, SWAT firearms trainer and Ranger School graduate. The trainer for the elimination challenge was Michael Friend, machine gun expert.

Episode 3: "Uphill Battle"

Premiere dateTeam challenge weapon(s)Team challengeBenched player(s)Winning team
February 22, 2011M1A rifleRun an uphill relay race with 4 shooting stations and targets at 75/100 yards. Each team splits into three pairs, with each player in a pair shooting one target and spotting the other. Once a pair completes a station, the next pair must run up from the starting line to get the rifle and move to the next station. The pair from the first station also shoots the fourth one to destroy an ammunition dump.KyleRed Team
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
Glock 17 9×19mm pistolShoot at 20 "friend" and 20 "foe" targets, set 25/35/50/65 feet behind a wall that opens and closes randomly. Each player has two full magazines and 30 seconds to hit the "foes" while avoiding the "friends."Jermaine, JayJermaine

The trainer for both challenges was Craig Sawyer, Navy SEALs instructor and former sniper.

Before the start of the team challenge, John withdrew from the competition, citing injuries to both legs. Since this decision left the Blue Team with one extra player, they were allowed to decide for themselves who would be benched.

There was a second-place tie between Jay and Kyle. It was broken by Maggie's vote.
Jay and Jermaine each scored 6 points, Jay with 6 "foes" and no "friends," Jermaine with 7 "foes" and 1 "friend." Since Jay hit fewer "friends," he won the challenge.

Episode 4: "Compound Fracture"

Premiere dateTeam challenge weapon(s)Team challengeBenched player(s)Winning team
March 1, 2011BowTech Assassin compound bowFrom 35 feet, shoot through six long curved tubes of decreasing diameter (3 inches to 1.5 inches), with a target at the far end of each. One player per tube, one shot per turn. Shorter time to hit all targets wins the challenge.N/ARed Team
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
BowTech Assassin compound bowWhile standing on an elevated platform, players shoot at balloon targets that pop up at random from behind three tree trunks 35 feet away. They have 3 minutes to hit up to 8 targets in their assigned colors.Kyle, MaggieMaggie

The trainer for both challenges was Chris Brackett, a compound bow expert.

Episode 5: "Quickfire Face-Off"

Premiere dateTeam challenge weapon(s)Team challengeBenched player(s)Winning team
March 8, 2011M1911 pistolEach team shoots at its own grid of 100 targets from 35 feet. One player at a time, two full magazines per player. Each team is provided with 100 rounds loaded into magazines, but must load any additional rounds themselves. First team to hit all targets wins.BrianBlue Team
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
2011 RazorCat race gunFrom 25 feet, shoot at 22 targets in each of two colors, set on three concentric spinning rings. Players have two 20-round magazines and 60 seconds to hit as many targets in their assigned color as possible.Jamie, EricEric

The trainers for both challenges were Simon "J.J." Racaza and Blake Miguez, two contestants from Season 1.

The RazorCat race gun is named after J. J. "Razor" Racaza. Less than 100 have been made.

Episode 6: "Bury the Hatchet"

Premiere dateTeam challenge weapon(s)Team challengeBenched player(s)Winning team
March 15, 2011TomahawkFrom 13 feet, teams take alternating throws at a square grid of 36 targets. Once a target has been hit, it is out of play. First team to make an unbroken horizontal/vertical/diagonal line of four targets wins.N/ARed Team
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
BlowgunFrom 30 feet, players shoot at separate grids of 32 balloon targets. Each balloon has a smaller one inside. They have 2 minutes to break as many of the outer balloons as possible without hitting the inner ones.Daryl, Chris T.Chris T.

The trainer for both challenges was Jack Dagger, primitive weapons expert.

Episode 7: "Trick Shot Showdown II"

Premiere dateTeam challenge weapon(s)Team challengeBenched player(s)Winning team
March 22, 2011M1911 pistol
Colt Official Police .38 revolver
Ruger Security-Six .357 Magnum revolver
Recreations of exhibition shots, all at 25 feet and with one player per station.
(1) Fire three shots from the M1911 at an axe blade, trying to split the bullet and hit balloons on both sides.
(2) Use the Colt to shoot the corncob pipes out of the mouths of three mannequins.
(3) Fire two Rugers at the same time, trying to hit three pairs of plates in vertical racks.
(4) Same as 3, but with the plates in horizontal racks.
BrianRed Team
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
Ruger Security-Six .357 Magnum revolverThe player is strapped to a vertical wheel, spun through five revolutions, and stopped upside down. He must then draw and fire six shots, trying to hit up to six bottles 35 feet away.Ashley, KyleKyle

The trainer for the team challenge was Steve Doran, firearms instructor. The trainer for the elimination challenge was Taran Butler, national/world pistol champion.

The daring shot was performed for years by exhibition shooter Bob Geesey, who would shoot a pipe out of his wife's mouth.
The upside-down shot was performed by Johnny "Cowboy Kid" Baker, who was adopted by Buffalo Bill.

Episode 8: "Catch .22"

Premiere dateTeam challenge weapon(s)Team challengeBenched player(s)Winning team
March 29, 2011Ruger 10/22 carbineEach team has 5 minutes to fire at 80 stationary/moving targets set up in a shooting gallery 50 feet away. One player at a time, 20 shots per turn.Joe, Chris R.Red Team
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
Smith & Wesson Model 317 kit gun (.22 revolver)
Ruger 10/22 carbine
Shoot at two sets of 10 targets each, at 25 feet (revolver) and 50 feet (rifle). Targets in each set are arranged behind each other in a line, in descending order of size from 7 inches to 1.5 inches. First player to hit all 20 targets wins.Daryl, JayDaryl

The trainer for both challenges was Spencer Hoglund, historical weapons expert and four-time national champion speed shooter.

There was a three-way tie between Jay, Daryl, and Ashley. Donaldson drew Ashley's name and announced that he would be safe from elimination.

Episode 9: "The 1,000 Yard Shot"

The teams were dissolved in this episode. All players received green shirts and began to compete directly against one another for the rest of the season.

After the individual challenge, all players voted on the nomination range. The top two vote-getters then competed in an elimination challenge as in earlier episodes.

Premiere dateIndividual challenge weapon(s)Individual challengeWinning player
April 5, 2011Barrett M82A1 rifle (.50 BMG)Shoot at a 30-inch target from 1,000 yards; maximum 5 minutes and 15 rounds per player. Fastest time to hit the target is safe from elimination.Brian
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
M1 Garand rifleEach player fires up to 16 rounds at 10 hidden targets that pop up, one at a time, from 100–125 yards. The kneeling position must be used for the first 5 targets, the prone position for the last 5.Jay, JamieJay

The trainer for both challenges was Ryan Cleckner, former Army Ranger Sniper from 1st Ranger Bn/75th Ranger Regiment and sniper instructor.

1,000 yards is the longest shot trainees take before graduating from sniper school.

Episode 10: "The Shakedown"

Premiere dateIndividual challenge weapon(s)Individual challengeWinning player
April 12, 2011Pistols: SIG Sauer P228, Browning Hi-Power
Rifles: AR-15, FN FAL
Each player has 3 minutes to complete a course with 4 stations, firing from an unstable platform at each.
1. Platform suspended from chains; SIG; 3 targets at 35 feet.
2. Platform balanced on inner tubes; Browning; 3 targets at 35 feet.
3. Platform suspended from ropes; AR-15; 2 targets at 50/100 yards.
4. Balance on a suspended beam; FAL; 2 targets at 50/100 yards.
Fastest time to finish the course is safe from elimination.
Jamie
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
Browning Hi-Power pistolEach player has 40 seconds and 20 rounds to shoot up to 10 stationary targets from 35–50 feet, without hitting the swinging targets in front of them.Ashley, JoeAshley

The trainer for both challenges was Iain Harrison, the winner of Season 1.

Episode 11: "Down to the Wire"

Premiere dateIndividual challenge weapon(s)Individual challengeWinning player(s)
April 19, 2011Glock 17 9×19mm pistolEach player is strapped into a harness and hauled up 125 feet by a construction crane. While in a controlled fall, he shoots at 10 ground targets placed 25–50 feet downrange. Highest number of hits is safe from elimination.George
Elimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeNominated for eliminationEliminated player
Benelli M2 (Super 90) shotgunWhile riding at 25 miles per hour in the back of a Humvee, shoot at 8 clay targets launched in pairs and singles along the route.Jamie, Chris R.Jamie

The trainer for the individual challenge was Matt Burkett, practical shooting expert. The trainer for the elimination challenge was Cory Kruse, shotgun world champion.

Episode 12: "Season Two Finale"

No practice sessions were held in this episode. The five individual players eliminated prior to the final challenge returned to watch it.

Premiere dateElimination challenge weapon(s)Elimination challengeWinning player(s)Eliminated player
April 26, 2011Browning Hi-Power pistolTwo players at a time have 30 seconds to shoot at separate sets of 20 targets from 30 feet. The targets are split into groups of 5; each player can shoot four plates in the center to expose one of his own groups and cover one of his opponent's. The winners of the first-round matches advance, with the losers competing against each other in a second round. The loser of this match is eliminated.1st round: Brian, Chris R.
2nd round: George
Joe
Handguns: Browning Hi-Power pistol, Ruger Security-Six .357 Magnum revolver, Colt Official Police .38 revolver
Rifles: M1A, AR-15, Sharps
Two rounds are played, with each player choosing a weapon, target, and distance in both; all three players try every shot. No weapon or target may be chosen more than once. After all six weapons have been used, the player with the fewest hits is eliminated. Targets available include jars, shot glasses, plates, tin cans, and poker chips.Brian (guaranteed win after 4th shot)
Chris R.
George
Final challenge weapon(s)Final challengeEliminated playerTop Shot
Tomahawk
Compound bow
Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolver
FN FAL rifle
M1911 pistol
Ruger 10/22 carbine
Barrett M82A1 rifle
Run a course with 7 shooting stations: First player to finish the course wins.BrianChris R.

Epilogue: Behind the Bullet

Premiering after the final episode, Top Shot Behind the Bullet, was a one-hour documentary involving behind-the-scene interviews and footage taken before, during, and after the season two competition. At the end of the episode, the show profiled each of the contestants, post-competition.

Travis Marsh is starting a junior shooting program in his community.Athena Lee will compete on the Women's Open Team in Greece.John Guida is running the family restaurant and competing locally.Jermaine Finks is still working for Homeland Security.Maggie Reese will be competing at the World Shoot in Greece.Eric Anderson continues to compete in mounted shooting.Chris Tilley is competing in world championships.Kyle Frasure has been shooting with Maggie and Jay.Daryl Parker just published his first novel.Jay Lim is still a golf instructor. He hopes to be an NRA certified pistol instructor soon.Ashley Spurlin is currently in Afghanistan.Jamie Franks has just returned from a deployment in Afghanistan.Joe Serafini is back working construction and competing in archery tournaments.George Reinas is finishing his Air Force service and is a guest instructor at CPEC.Brian Zins is going into production with his own line of ammunition.Chris Reed is hoping to teach more people about hunting and marksmanship. He plans on investing his winnings for his kids' education.

Nomination Range

Original TeamsMerged Team
Episode123456789101112
NominatedChris T.
3/8 Votes
Jamie
3/8 Votes
NoneJay
2/8 Votes
Kyle
3/6 Votes
Jamie
3/6 Votes
Daryl
3/5 Votes
Ashley
2/4 Votes
Jay
1/3 Votes
Jamie
3/7 Votes
Joe
2/6 Votes
Chris R.
2/5 Votes
NoneNoneNone
EliminatedTravis
3/8 Votes
Athena
3/8 Votes
John
No Votes
Jermaine
5/8 Votes
Maggie
3/6 Votes
Eric
2/6 Votes
Chris T.
2/5 Votes
Kyle
2/4 Votes
Daryl
1/3 Votes
Jay
3/7 Votes
Ashley
3/6 Votes
Jamie
3/5 Votes
JoeGeorgeBrian
ContestantsVotes
1Chris R.JamieNoneJamieJayAshleyJamieNoneNoneNone
2BrianAthenaNoneEricJamieJoeChris R.NoneNoneNone
3GeorgeAthenaNoneJamieJamieBrianJamieNoneNone
4JoeJamieNoneEricJayAshleyJamieNone
5JamieNoneNoneNoneJayAshleyChris R.
6AshleyNoneJermaineKyleDarylKyleDarylJamieJoe
7JayChris T.JermaineMaggieChris T.KyleAshleyJoe
8DarylChris T.JayMaggieChris T.AshleyJay
9KyleTravisJermaineMaggieDarylAshley
10Chris T.TravisJermaineKyleDaryl
11EricAthenaNoneJamie
12MaggieTravisJermaineKyle
13JermaineKyleKyle
14JohnJamieNone
15AthenaNone
16TravisChris T.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Combat control instructor earns Bronze Star . 2014-03-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130225015944/http://www.keesler.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090226-073.pdf . 2013-02-25 .
  2. Web site: Angela . Cutrer . Keesler combat controllers honor fallen friends . Keesler.af.mil . 2009-09-23 . 2014-03-24.
  3. Web site: Combat Control Association News . August 2011 . 24.