Ware County High School’s attempt for its first state rifle since 2022 came up short Saturday at the Ware County Shooting Complex.
North Gwinnett captured its first-ever title March 14 scoring 2,337 points and totaling 146 bullseye’s. The Gators finished seventh in the 17team event with a score of 2,289.
Finishing between the two schools were Camden County (2,328), Cartersville (2,313), defending champion East Coweta (2,311), Cherokee (2,302) and Buford (2,301).
Trailing Ware County were Kendrick (2,286), Lumpkin County (2,269), Cedar Shoals (2,258), Georgia Military College (GMC; 2,246), Northside (2,238), Carrollton (2,231), Allatoona (2,229), Mays (2,228), North Cobb (2,227) and Social Circle (2,216).
The Gators were led by the 581 (40 bullseye’s) of 11th-place individual finisher Camdyn Thornton. Autumn Buskirk (29 bullseye’s), who placed 37th, and Angel Hernandez (20 bullseye’s), who finished 40th, posted 572 scores. Gabrielle Howard (29 bullseye’s), 53rd in the field, scored a 564 with Mason Briggs (26 bullseye’s), 66th in the field, finishing with a 556 score.
Howard was named the All-State team, fourth overall, which recognized shooters who maintained a 290 average or higher for the season. Howard’s average for the season was 291.8.
Cartersville’s Maggie Sheffield was the top shooter with a score of 589.
