Reality Check: Belle Vernon sharpshooter sets his sights on 'Top Shot'
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Belle Vernon's Augie Malekovich is competing on "Top Shot."
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Life was getting pretty busy for Augie Malekovich; he wanted to spend more time with family and was starting a new career.
But then he realized participating in History's sharpshooting reality show, "Top Shot," truly was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"I got to go there and do things I would never get another chance to do," the Belle Vernon resident said. "I mean, you just can't go to the gun store and get a grenade launcher and shoot it."
Let's hope not. Season 4 premieres Tuesday at 10 p.m.
"Top Shot" is a fascinating show, where being a world-class pistol champ means little if some self-taught high school custodian is closer to the bull's-eye. For Mr. Malekovich, 35, the pressure of being on a team wasn't as great as what he expected of himself.
"It's all about proving something to myself," he said. "Yes, it's a team competition, but I cannot control how somebody else shoots the gun. What's important to me is trying. I tell my kids all the time, 'You can only do your best.' "
Mr. Malekovich grew up in Fayette County and attended Brownsville High School. He graduated on a Friday and by Monday had joined the Marine Corps. That's where he became a marksman with the Beretta 9 mm pistol and MP5 rifle.
His career until now included work in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, training individuals in private security and, most recently, working as a Department of Homeland Security agent.
He was making a switch about the same time a friend urged him to try out for the reality show. So his plans for becoming "the world's most dangerous financial adviser" were put on hold when he passed a series of auditions.
Then, it was off to the Northern California desert.
First Published February 11, 2012 12:00 am
