In years past, the relationship between grip strength and pistol shooting performance has been discussed at length on this forum. I think the general consensus was that the more strength the better, and that you can only go so far without above average grip strength (for a male). I don't think a lot of people would have said "You can make top 16 at production nationals, with average male grip strength." There was also some discussion about how even the top female USPSA shooters weren't particularly competitive with the top male GMs at national-level matches (finishing at around 65-75% of the winner), which could be attributed in part to a grip strength disparity.
This year, both Justine Williams (who is still a junior shooter) and Ashley Rheuark placed in the top 16 at USPSA Production nationals (13th and 14th respectively), beating out some well known shooters like Phil Strader, BJ Norris, Shannon Smith, Matt Hopkins, etc. I don't know how their grip strength compares to the top male GMs, but I suspect they outperformed many shooters who were physically stronger. All this has me thinking that maybe you don't need to close a #2 CoC to be competitive in an action pistol sport, although it might not hurt either.
Thoughts?