BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
This area has always been know for their success in shooting sports, and now they can add Towanda’s Davin Kelley to the list.
In just over a year Kelley has taken the area by storm in Steel Shooting, earning podium finishes in competitions from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Virgnia and Alabama.
After starting in 2024 Kelley placed first in the RFPO (rimfire pistol optics) division at the New Jersey State Steel Challenge.
He would qualify for the 2025 Ruger World Speed Shooting Championships in Alabama, taking third in the open division, and five in junior RFPO.
He won four divisions at the 2025 Precision Defense PA State Steel Challenge - RFPO, RFRO, PCCO, and open. He also won three divisions at the 2025 Virginia State Steel Challenge in the RFPO overall, first junior RFPO, and first master class PCCO, while taking third in in open.
At the Area 8 Steel Challenge he took first in the Junior RFPO, the Junior PCCO, and the Junior Open. He was second in the Junior RFRO, and second and third overall in the Junior division.
Kelley heard about the competition from somebody at a gun store.
“I wanted to try it out, and after I did one match I really liked doing it,” he said. “Going around to all these venues to compete is always exciting, and fun, every place is a little different.”
His secret for success is “a lot of practice every chance I get.”
“A typical practice is just shooting one of the states, and working on accuracy and speed, and trying to stay consistent on each stage,” Kelley explained.
He’s enjoyed going up against some of the best shooters in the country.
“Competing at such a high level is challenging because you’re pushing yourself, and learning,” Kelley said. “It also feels good going up against the best.”
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PHOTOS PROVIDED
