The WON welcomes LG, star of Mia & the Little Gal column.
Recently, I was at the Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico, for the State Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) competition. When I first spotted Teigan, I was amazed. He has 1 arm, so I thought there was no way he could compete in all the event – I was wrong.
Teigan really inspires me. If he can accomplish so much, why should I be complaining or feeling sorry when I don’t shoot my best? It’s awesome he has done so well in YHEC, and how he’s involved, not just in shooting but also in other sports. I wanted to get to know Teigan better, and share his story with you, so I sat down to ask him some questions.
(Neal Delk photo)
LG: How old are you, and how old were you when you started shooting?
Teigan: I am 13-years old, and I was 7 when I got my first Cricket .22 and started shooting with my dad. I started YHEC 3 years ago, and I love it. I did all events except one. I wasn’t able to shoot bow the first year, but I really wanted to. So, my dad and I started thinking, got creative and came up with the first harness I used for shooting my bow. My grandma sewed it together, and it worked for a little while, then we had a saddle maker make the harness I use now. With this harness, I can pull back 62 pounds. That’s more than my dad!
LG: Which shooting method (archery, .22, shotgun or muzzleload) did you take up first?
Teigan: I started shooting my .22 first, but I won the muzzleloader in my age division my first year at YHEC (as a sub junior) and I was hooked.
LG: What made you decide to join YHEC, and was this your first state competition?
Teigan: I started competing at YHEC after my cousin, Justly, told me about it. So, I told my dad, and we started working on finding out more about it. This was my 3rd year to compete.
(Neal Delk photo)
LG: What is your favorite event in YHEC?
Teigan: My favorite YHEC event is bow, but they’re all really fun, and it’s hard to pick a favorite.
LG: Who is your mentor, or who has encouraged/inspired you the most in shooting sports?
Teigan: John Wayne … Just kidding. My dad, because he is the one who has always worked with me and said, “Let’s go shoot,” even if my brother, Tyce, and I were tired and didn’t want to. The biggest thing that my dad wanted me to practice was bow, he wanted us to shoot 15 arrows a day, and with my new harness I can shoot them myself.
LG: What other sports do you like besides hunting or shooting?
Teigan: I like playing basketball, running track, participating in FFA and showing lambs. I’ve been playing basketball since the 1st grade, and will play in high school. I like to be creative and go in my dad’s barn and just build stuff. I also like to ride 4-wheelers with my brother. We will take off in the pasture and be gone all day.
(Neal Delk photo)
LG: Do you have anything to say to other kids who want to try shooting sports?
Teigan: All you have to do is try. You might have to do it a different way, but you can still do it. Just keep on trying — don’t give up, and you’ll do whatever you want to do. I would tell them to remember that God made them that way for a reason
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
Mia,
Thank you for highlighting Teigan and all his hard work. The article is great!
Tandee
(Teigan’s mom)