MOULTRIE —
Gunnery Sgt. Emmett Bryant, the Colquitt County High rifle team coach, is optimistic about the prospects for his 2013 team.
And based on some early results, he has reason to be.
The Packers were slated to open the season today with a match at Coffee High, but the Trojans team disbanded.
Colquitt will instead compete for the first time next Thursday when it plays host to Worth County.
Bryant is understandably eager to see how his team will perform.
If the results are similar to what the team had in its Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Marine Corps JROTC Postal Competition, the Colquitt County team should fare well this year.
Behind a 289 shot by junior Kiarron Hendry, the Colquitt County team finished seventh nationally among U.S. Marine Corps JROTC teams.
Hendry’s score was the best in Region 2. Combined with the 278 shot by Eugene Anderson III, a 275 by newcomer Katelyn Wilcott — who transfered from Suwannee High School in Live Oak, Fla. — and a 268 by Cameron Johnson, Colquitt County had a score of 1,110, 13 points behind East Coweta’s first-place score of 1,123.
“Our top four all have the ability to shoot 285,” Bryant said.
Those scores would translate into a team score of 1,140, which would win many matches.
Bryant said he believes the team has a chance to approach the school record score of 1,163.
“I think that’s within our grasp,” Bryant said. “I’m looking for good things from this group.”
In addition to the projected top four, the Packers are expected to have freshman Elyssa Hullett and Kellen Kern battling to turn in top-four scores.
The rest of the 14-member team includes Dakota Baker, Delilah Wood, Matt Long, Jacob Davis, Chris Little, Logan Johnson, Kelvin Greene and Austin Stewart.
Bryant said team has no seniors and will count on the scoring and leadership of Hendry.
“He is our team captain,” Bryant said. “He is a real technician and can be real focused.
“He has the potential to shoot a 295.”
Hendry was one of the members of the team who gave up time during the holiday break to get in some practice time.
After a strong sophomore season, which included a 100 in the prone position in a state sectional against Rutland, Hendry said he eager to be even better this season and is aiming to break 290.
His best score was 288 last year. He had a top score of 98 in the kneeling position and a 94 in the difficult off-hand, or standing position.
And he likes the potential of the team’s younger shooters.
“I think they’ll be good,” he said.
Anderson also should be a consistent scorer this year. He had a top score of 99 in the prone and 98 in the kneeling last year.
Local Sports
Related Photos
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The 2013 Colquitt County High rifle team includes, front, from left, Dakota Baker, Eugene Anderson III, Kellen Kern, Katelyn Wilcott, Elyssa Hullett, Kiarron Hendry and Delilah Wood; back, Matt Long, Jacob Davis, Chris Little, Logan Johnson, Cameron Johnson, Kelvin Greene and Austin Stewart. Connie Southwell
Discussion
Rifle team has potential for outstanding season
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