Marc Crotta set a personal record against North Gwinnett. RANDY CRUMP/Special
Squaring off with North Gwinnett of Class 7A on Thursday evening at home, the Tallulah Falls Precision Rifle team grabbed both a win and a piece of history. TFS earned a win by outscoring North Gwinnett 1,149-1,133.
The visitors represent one of the toughest opponents on the Tallulah Falls schedule, as North Gwinnett has won the Area Championship in four of the past five years. After losing last season to NG in the regular season, TFS returned the favor in the Area Championship to finish as the Area Runner-Up.
With both teams bringing in a talented lineup of top shooters, Tallulah Falls was more than prepared and ready for the challenge.
“Our athletes voluntarily came in over Thanksgiving break to prepare for this showdown and were excited to compete,” says coach Tim Stamey.
TFS finished the prone position with a 397-393 edge over North Gwinnett. That gap widened to 14 in favor of Tallulah Falls following a great standing position round.
“North Gwinnett is known all over the state for their kneeling position perfection but were only two points better than our athletes,” Stamey said.
TFS secured the win, with the 1,149 a full 10 points better than the previous record set in February 2022 against Buford. Senior Jue Wang, who in her previous outing tied the school record with a 292, nearly repeated that score with a team-best 291. Joseph McGahee shot a 289, Marc Crotta 287 (a new PR), Chloe Erwin 282, and Kylee Loudermilk 280.
TFS (2-0) will compete at home on Dec. 8 against Lithonia.
TFS swimmers place
The TFS swim teams, both varsity and middle school, were in action Dec. 3 at the Forsyth Central Holiday Invitational. The boys teams, both varsity and middle school, placed first. The girls teams both came in second. The varsity girls finished runner-up at the meet, which included 15 teams. The girls competed among 14 teams.
Swimmers who placed top-5 in at least one of their individual races included Adelaide Tatum, Olivia Henderson, Henry Rickman, Carsyn Griffis, Ida Patterson, Nelson Wilkinson, Ida Patterson, and Veronica Verberkmoes.
– Brian Carter