Walhalla Razorback Rifle team wins Dixie Challenge Regional

The Razorback JROTC Rifle team recently traveled to Anniston, Alabama for a regional rifle match called The Dixie Challenge. The team won the three-position championship with a high score for the season. The group enjoyed the day-long adventure of travel and competition. This competition was especially difficult because music was playing on the range during rifle match. Despite the difficulty of the event, the Razorback Rifle Team rose to the occasion to win top honors at the competition. The group was divided into two teams. Team A finished number one above all the other teams and consisted of Matthew Smith, Nicholas Hightower, Lakyn Tippet, and Jessica Elder. Team B finished fourth overall and consisted of Carter Duke, Elizabeth Cobb, Halie Cobb, and Chase Kuhlman. Alyssa Holden was the team alternate. Team members shooting personal best scores during the competition were Alyssa Holden, Chase Kulhman, Halie Cobb and Matthew Smith. COL Mangan, team coach, was pleased with the team’s performance and said, “The team is peaking at the perfect time. The hard work and challenging practices are paying dividends heading into the Army JROTC National Championships.” As the Dixie Challenge is a warm up match for the Army National Championships, these accomplishments prepared the group for the National Three-Position Air Rifle Competition in Camp Perry, Ohio. Nationals will consist of a day of travel, one day of practice, and two days of competition shooting. Congratulations to all who scored a personal best and the entire team for winning the 2017 Dixie Challenge in Anniston, Alabama. Good luck at Nationals. Students pictured left to right are Alyssa Holden, Nicholas Hightower, Matthew Smith, Chase Kuhlman, Lakyn Tippett, Jessica Elder, Elizabeth Cobb, Carter Duke, Halie Cobb, and front/center Coach COL Kevin Mangan.