TKA basking in another championship

By By Kevin Smetana Morning News ksmetana@florencenews.com
Published: August 08, 2008

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FLORENCE — In just its second year of existence, The King’s Academy sporting clays team once again achieved the highest possible level of success by defending its national title last weekend.
The junior varsity squad, made up of rising sophomores Braxton Ivey, Austin Mogy and Richmond Wilhoit, captured first place Saturday at the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Nationals in Sparta, Ill.

Mogy and Wilhoit also were national champions last year as members of the Lions’ intermediate squad.

“It’s unbelievable to think how large the U.S. is and to be the best at what you do two years in a row,” TKA sporting clays coach Matt Terrio said. “To defend a national title is incredible.”

Many of the teams TKA competed against during the season and at Nationals were clubs, meaning they’re made up of the best shooters from various cities, towns and counties.

The Lions, however, can only use TKA students under the South Carolina Independent School Association’s rules. That factor alone speaks volumes about their success the past two years, Terrio said.

“We’re confined to what we have here within the walls of The King’s Academy,” said Terrio, also the school’s athletic director. “And to have that kind of talent in such a small pool I think speaks very well of the students.”

SCTP rules don’t allow the formation of varsity teams until a program begins its third year of participation, Terrio said. That third year is next season for the Lions. And with all three JV squad members potentially advancing to the varsity division, the team is set on winning a third consecutive national title.

“Next year we’re hoping to win the varsity,” Terrio said. “There’s going to be more competition. Some of the older shooters (at nationals) were pretty skilled, but our guys are right up there with them.”