Published Friday, April 18, 2008

Northgate sophomore continues to aim high at Junior Olympics

By Chris Goltermann

The Times-Herald

Northgate sophomore Zachary Wells got his first taste of precision shooting while tagging along with his father on hunting trips. Today, Wells may have his eye on another potential target, competing for a spot on the U.S. Shooting team.

Wells recently finished sixth in the J2 age group at last weekend’s National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships, placing 28th overall in the 10m Air Rifle category.

In all, Georgia shooters posted outstanding efforts, taking 10 of the top 28 finishers — the most out of any state represented. Carrollton native Jonathan Hall, a sophomore for Jacksonville State’s rifle team and a NRA All-American won the event while college teammate Phil Huckaby of Griffin took eighth overall. The top high school finisher from Georgia was Chris Thrasher of Stockbridge High, who finished ninth overall. Chris Clemons of Northside-Columbus was 24th and Luella’s Kyle Phillips 26th. All three compete in the J1 division.

Four years their younger, Wells could be on pace to do the same following his first trip to Colorado Springs for the two-day event held April 10-11. He was the top J2 (15-17 year-old) finisher from Georgia while posting a 1,142 over two rounds. Wells opened with a 563 on day one and followed it up by shooting a 579, tying for 10th best score on the final day.

During the weekend at Colorado Springs, it was also announced that 70 year-old, three-time Olympian Lones Wigger was going to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Wigger was present at the Junior Olympic event.

Northgate currently does not have a high school rifle team unlike East Coweta, which finished fourth overall at this year’s Georgia High School Association State Meet, took second at the National JROTC Air Rifle Championship in late March and won the MCJROTC event at Fort Benning.

Wells currently shoots with the Carroll County 4-H team.