The Tennessee Shooting Sports Association (TNSSA) has announced the 2005 All-State High School Rifle Teams and recognized them at the organization’s Awards Banquet on Saturday, May 21st, 2005. The event was held at Montgomery Bell State Park Lodge in Dickson. This is the eighth year that an All-State High School Rifle Team has been recognized by TNSSA.
“It is a pleasure to announce this year’s Tennessee All-State High School Rifle Teams in both Precision and Sporter categories,” said Dr. Ray Harvey, State Junior Chairman for the TNSSA. “I want to congratulate each of these students for their accomplishment. Our athletes have been working very hard at marksmanship and discipline in order to earn this recognition. They have maintained high academic standards, as well, in order to be considered for this honor.”
The Banquet to honor TNSSA’s all state team athletes is made possible by a generous grant from the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The National Shooting Sports Foundation was established to provide trusted leadership in addressing industry challenges and delivering programs advancing participation in and understanding of the recreational shooting sports such as high school rifle teams.”
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| Left to Right: Andrew S. Davis (MBA), Ben P. Norton (MBA),
Erik Swanson (MBA), Troy R. Casalone (Hume-Fogg), Joseph
Walkowicz (MBA). NOT PRESENT FOR PICTURE: John
Fontaine (MBA)
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The All-State Precision Team includes Troy R. Casalone (Hume-Fogg Academic High School--Nashville, Senior), Ben P. Norton (Montgomery Bell Academy--Nashville, Senior), Andrew S. Davis (MBA, Junior), Erik Swanson (MBA, Junior), John Fontaine (MBA, Sophomore) and Joseph Walkowicz (MBA, Sophomore).
The Precision Team includes advanced athletes who have typically participated for three years or more. They are usually sophomores, juniors or seniors, many of whom have been participating in Riflery since the fifth grade. The equipment used for Precision is more expensive than the Sporter equipment, more complicated and is of the same general quality as that used by college and Olympic team members. Participation in the Precision category exhibits a high degree of commitment and dedication to the sport of Riflery. It is from these athletes that recipients of NCAA college scholarships for Riflery are most often chosen.
The All-State Sporter Team members are Patrick S. Hankins (Ripley High School Army JROTC—Ripley, TN, Senior), Nicholas B. Hayes (Ripley HS Army JROTC, Senior), Jeremy A. Rhoads (Ripley HS Army JROTC, Senior), James D. Miller (LaVergne High School Army JROTC, Junior), Clisty L. Buie (Ripley HS Army JROTC, Sophomore) and Eric C. Wikman (Mt. Juliet High School Marine Corps JROTC—Mt. Juliet, TN, Sophomore).
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| Nicholas B. Hayes (Ripley HS), James D. Miller
(LaVergne HS); Eric C. Wikman (Mt. Juliet HS), Clisty L. Buie
(Ripley HS), Jeremy A. Rhoads (Ripley HS), NOT PRESENT FOR
PICTURE: Patrick S. Hankins (Ripley HS)
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The Sporter Team is made up of Rifle athletes who are often in the beginning of building their skills. They are most often either freshman or sophomores at schools that sponsor a Precision team or may be juniors or seniors at schools that do not have a Precision team. The equipment for Sporter air rifle is inexpensive, accurate, easy to obtain and maintain.
Coaches present were and Leo R. Lujan and Henry Gaither (MBA), Cecil Calloway (LaVergne), Dan Sullenger (Mt. Juliet) and Hugh Cook (Ripley). Coach Calloway served as Banquet Chairman, Master of Ceremonies and Keynote Speaker. Over thirty family members also attended the event.
The TNSSA is the Tennessee representative of USA Shooting, the Civilian Marksman Program and the National Rifle Association. |
