McGahee top high school athlete at latest regional match

In what coach Tim Stamey calls a 'rebuilding year' for the TFS rifle team, there's still plenty of talent and success.

The roster includes one senior in captain Mitchell McGahee along with two sophomores and three freshmen. 

"This group of four young ladies and two young men have a positive team culture and help each other," says Stamey. "We are excited to watch their progress."

Last Saturday, team captain McGahee left at five in the morning for Anniston, AL to shoot against an incredible field of athletes shooting Olympic 60 shot standing.

He found himself on the firing line between U.S. Olympian Brian Muske (3-time NCAA All-American) and former Italian Olympian Gianluca Soldavini. The latter has helped give Mitchell shooting tips.

Between those two athletes, McGahee shot a personal record in standing decimel of 604.1. This score did not get him into the 8-person finals, but he just missed it. November is warmup month for high level athletes and Anniston is a favorite.

"Mitchell might have not made finals, but he finished above every high school athlete and some college athletes," exclaims Stamey.

The rest of the team arrived at 10:30 to shoot in the 3-position match. It was an experienced field with athletes coming from as far as west Arkansas. McGahee finished 10th with a 578, and first-year rifle athlete and sophomore Desi Newkirk finished 15th with a 572, A new personal record that exceeded varsity letter requirement by 12 points, and earning him the coveted TFS green and white jacket.