Gabriel Muscat, 17, gets set to let an arrow fly. Muscat is having great success as a competitive archer.

Gabriel Muscat, 17, of the Crowders Mountain community doesn't wear green leotards, have a band of merry men, rob from the rich and give to the poor, or hang out in Sherwood Forest, but by George he can shoot a bow and arrow just as well if not better than the legendary archer Robin Hood.
That fact is evident when you look at the many trophies and college scholarship offers Muscat has earned since he began competitive archery earlier this year.
Muscat, who is home schooled by his mom Ginger and also takes high school level classes online, says he got interested in competitive archery via some friends who attended Pinnacle Classical Academy charter school in Shelby.
The Pinnacle Classical Academy Thunderbirds archery team has participated in both individual and team competitions as part of the Archery Shooters Association (ASA) tournaments that are held at a variety of locations. The Pinnacle team has won national and state championships.
"I went with them to a tournament at South Mountains," Muscat said. "I had shot bows and arrows all my life but the tournament was similar to golf where you walk from target to target. It was interesting and I shot really well."
Just how well? Muscat won.
"I was kind of surprised," he said.
Since then, Muscat has taken part in around thirty other archery tournaments at courses in locations such as Brown Mountain, Lake Wylie, and Shelby. Shooting a course takes about two hours.
He's won his class in all but one event and in that one he scored second place at a national meet in Illinois.
Muscat shoots a "recurve" bow. It is a more traditional type but made of modern materials. He made his own bow from parts.
"It's made of carbon fiber and aluminum," he said. "I spent about $180 for the parts."
Muscat says some of the other competitors shoot with bows costing thousands. His arrows have a carbon shaft and field tip- sharp but not blunt and for sure no razor edge.
When he's at a tournament, Muscat is focused.
"You have to concentrate and not let your mind wander," he said.
He says he practices most every day.
Muscat has attracted the attention of college archery teams. He's got a stack of scholarship offers from places like Georgetown College, Blue Mountain College, Campbellsville University and the University of Pikeville.
"Archery is just like any other college sport," Muscat says.
But for now, Muscat has to finish his high school and gain a year or so in age.
Muscat encourages others his age to explore archery as an alternative to more traditional sports like football.
"It's a lot of fun if you like competition," he said. "If you enjoy the outdoors you will love it."
Mom Ginger agrees.
"I'm all about his archery," she said. "It's actually safer than a contact sport."
As for the future, until he reaches college age, Muscat will be shooting in tourneys, even though the travel can cost a lot. He says he's open to sponsorship in that regard. There's also the idea of giving lessons or coaching other archers.
Interested in talking archery with Muscat? Call 704-913-6706 (dad Mike's phone) and let the arrows fly.

Pictured: Muscat and just a few of the awards he's earned at archery tournaments.

By Alan Hodge
alan.bannernews@gmail.com