6 vets compete on third ‘Top Shot’ - Entertainment, TV, Television - Navy Times

6 vets compete on third ‘Top Shot’

“Top Shot,” The History Channel show on which contestants compete in shooting events for a $100,000 cash prize, is back for a third season, and as in the first two, a generous portion of contestants — six total — served on active duty.

Last season, the final four contestants were veterans. The winner, Chris Reed, was a former Marine.

One potential standout is uber-confident former Navy SEAL Jake Zweig.

“I outwork people, out-hustle people and figure out a competitive edge to win,” Zweig says in a statement announcing the new season. “It basically comes down to the fact that I have the innate ability to do the impossible consistently.”

Zweig, 10 years removed from his service, is now the defensive line coach for the University of New Hampshire football team.

“Top Shot” viewers with long memories may recognize one competitor.

Sara Ahrens was featured prominently in the “Army of One” ad campaign and, after separating as a sergeant in 2003, became the first female supervisor for her Illinois police department’s SWAT team.

“I would be lying to you if I didn’t say I want to be my kids’ hero,” Ahrens says. “Winning … could get me there.”

Other contestants with military backgrounds include former Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jarrett Grimes; former Army infantryman and Persian Gulf War veteran Gary Quesenberry; Mark Schneider, a veteran of both the Air Force and Army National Guard; Chris Collins, a former counterterrorism Marine who served from 2004 to 2009; and Alex Charvat, a former Army ROTC cadet.