by Rusty Ellis
Cookeville senior Mallory Johnson made her commitment to Murray State official on Friday, as she signed her NLI to shoot rifle for the Racers rifle team after graduation.
For Johnson, it’s a moment that’s been years in the making and she was excited to take this next step.
“I’m really excited about it,” Johnson said. “They’re a good shooting school, which was important, but they also have a really good agriculture program, and that was equally as important to me. I’m just as excited to go to the school itself, as I am to shoot for them.”
Johnson’s been a key cog in the Cookeville team under head coach Douglas Romero, and he says he only wishes the team had more time with her.
“Mallory started shooting with me in seventh grade,” Romero said. “She’s just been amazing since she was a freshman, she’s a rare breed that’s adapted to it…she’s going to do great in college, I wish I could have her for another three years.”
And Romero adds that he sees big things in the future for Johnson at the next level.
“I think Murray State happens to be the perfect fit for her,” Romero said. “It’s just a win-win for both the school and Mallory…she’s already at that level, so I think her new coach will figure out some things and get her to that next step. I would not be surprised to see her as a national champion at college in the future.”
Johnson says there’s plenty that she’ll miss when she leaves Cookeville, but she adds that she’s looking forward to the new challenges that await her.
“I’m going to miss all my friends and my teammates,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to make new friends on Murray’s team. I think I’m ready, it’ll be an adjustment, but I think I’m ready.”
