Just a few years ago, Heritage Academy senior Garrett Vaughn had no clue of the world of helice.
Helice, roped in the same category as clay pigeon shooting though different in its own right, has steadily expanded in recent decades, including right here in the Golden Triangle.
At Prairie Wildlife in West Point, Vaughn — already well trained in sport shooting — quickly picked up the sport and began to excel at it.
In September, Vaughn represented the United States at the 32nd Helice World Championship in Sicily, Italy, winning a gold medal as part of the junior national team competing.
“This was nothing compared to the national competitions I was in previously,” Vaughn said. “This was way bigger and had 10 countries all competing. It was a bit of a shock to me, but I was used to all the pressure and I was able to pull through.”
For those unfamiliar with helice, picture clay pigeon shooting with propellers attached to the circular witness cap.
Often referred to as ZZ bird shooting, the nickname comes from the zig-zag pattern that the targets themselves take when fired, hence the shortened-up ‘ZZ’.
Vaughn was introduced to the sport in 2019 through his two mentors, Prairie Wildlife helice instructor Xavier Fairley and the late Stephen Imes — the uncle of Dispatch publisher Peter Imes — and began competitive helice in late 2020.
“Those two got me into the sport and are the biggest reasons why I took up helice,” Vaughn said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without their help and coaching.”
Having first picked up a gun and began shooting at the age of 8, Vaughn found the sport very straightforward and easy to pick up.
Once he started competing within a year or so of first learning helice, he knew that his skill set could take him to compete at higher levels.
However, nothing truly prepared him for what was to come in September when a gold medal was bestowed over his neck while he wore red, white and blue across his chest.
“It was a feeling that I never experienced before, getting to appreciate such a success with my team,” Vaughn said. “We’re really proud of it, and it was just a really good time to be able to show that we are actually pretty good at what we do.”
Helice is not a sanctioned Olympic sport yet, although there are efforts to get it included within the current group of shooting events during the Summer Olympics.
Luckily, with so much experience in sport shooting, Vaughn has already adapted to helice and can definitely make the leap toward another discipline.
Having now competed on an international stage, his aspirations are high for what the future may bring.
“Skeet is a big discipline in the Olympics and something I’d like to look into,” Vaughn said. “However, helice will always be in my heart and I’d love to keep competing in national and international championships.”
Everything for Vaughn — the national competitions, world championships and more — all comes back to Lowndes County and back home.
Just like helice will always be in his heart, his heart has remained in this area as it holds a special place, always knowing where he came from: his roots.
“This is something that not many people get to experience and I’m very, very happy that I got to experience it and represent my home and my people,” Vaughn said. “I’ll always love my local group here. It’s always a good bit of fun.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion