Community Ambassador Program
As WATL continues to grow at an exponential rate, we want to ensure that competitors across the board have a safe, comfortable, and positive experience at events. With that in mind, we are excited share our Community Ambassador Program!
Through the Community Ambassador Program, community leaders will be able to offer support to new competitors, engage with the community, and support venues during events. This includes but is not limited to tournaments, leagues, leagues, and other non-sanctioned WATL-supported events (i.e. women’s tournaments, youth tournaments, etc).
The WATL Community Ambassador Program will delegate leaders in the community who have shown dedication to the growth and support of axe throwing. These ambassadors embody one of the core values that WATL stands for, inclusiveness. The individuals selected for this program typically meet at least one of the following qualifications:
- Engaged in the community in a constructive way
- Regularly attend tournaments and other WATL events
- Knowledge of how tournaments are run (brackets, logistics, App, etc) and can assist venues with these items
- Willing to guide and support new competitors at events
- Became a Certified WATL Judge
Ambassadors are chosen carefully, and we work to establish them across as many regions as possible to ensure proper event and community support.
Get to know your Community Ambassadors below!
Austin Shepperd – Florida, USA
Known around the lanes as “The Good Shepperd”, Austin serves as the General Manager of The Axe Trap. Austin’s path into axe throwing began humbly in his backyard after watching Frontier. From practicing on a mounted round log to throwing at a venue on a date with his wife, Alisha, and eventually asking for a job, Austin’s passion quickly turned into a career.
Austin, along with his wife, Alisha, are the founders of Hatchets 4 Heroes, which is a charity nonprofit organization which supports veterans and first responders and encourages combating PTSD with the power of axe throwing.
Bob Ferguson – Oregon, USA
Known to friends as Fergie and on the lanes as “Disturbed”, brings a lifetime of hands-on experience to the throwing community. Now retired, Bob is a co-owner of The Blade Axe House, as well as a longtime woodworker and craftsman. His path into axe throwing grew naturally from his hobbies of laser engraving and running a sawmill, creating products for the venue before attending a “league experience” event that hooked him on the sport.
Bob is happiest sharing a lane with any competitor, whether helping someone new develop their skills or facing a seasoned competitor who pushes him to improve. A former electric utility lineman, Bob lives by the motto “Live the Axe Life” and brings that same energy, openness, and passion to the throwing community.
Catherine Dowie – Massachusetts, USA
Working professionally as a lawyer, Catherine brings focus and precision to both her career and the lanes. She first discovered axe throwing after seeing it on TV and joined a league while living in a
new state as a way to stay active locally. By 2023, she was throwing in multiple leagues each season and traveling regularly to tournaments.
What Catherine loves most about axe and knife throwing is the community and the meditative calm the sports bring, something she finds difficult to replicate elsewhere. Off the lanes, Catherine enjoys knitting, Lego flower builds, and collecting pink or cat-themed Pokémon cards, and is known for creating extensive throwing sport spreadsheets.
Colton Askew – Texas, USA
Known on the lanes as “Robot” works in
education, bringing focus and discipline into everything he does. Colton competed in his
first World Axe Throwing League (WATL)–affiliated league in 2022, made Pro League in Season 1 of 2023, and later that year earned WAKTC bids.
What Colton loves most about axe throwing is the competition and the community
that comes with it. He thrives when competing against strong opponents, believing
he performs his best when pushed. Away
from the lanes, Colton plays guitar and sings, and is proudly owned by two cats.
Davontae Washington – Mississippi, USA
AKA “Dav” is an entrepreneur and represents Alley Cats Axe Co as his home venue. His introduction to axe
throwing happened completely by accident; he stumbled into his local venue and immediately fell in love with the sport. Dav credits the sport’s energy and challenge for keeping him hooked.
What Dav loves most about axe and knife throwing is the community, describing the people asa huge part of what makes the sport special. Away from the lanes, Dav collects sail-and-sign cruise cards from his many trips at sea. Despite living in Mississippi, he proudly holds season tickets for the LA Rams.
Greg Moar – Ontario, Canada
Known on the lanes as “Chappie”, Greg works as a bartender and waiter, bringing a natural people-first energy to everything he does. Competing across all WATL disciplines, he has found his favorite part of the sport to be the connections he builds with people along the way.
Greg credits Katelyn Garrow, his coach and
close friend, as the competitor he most enjoys sharing a lane with, appreciating the challenge and growth that comes from throwing against one of the best. His favorite saying is “Throw better!”, which perfectly matches his mindset. Beyond axe throwing, Greg is a former professional magician, and a fun fact that fits his hospitality roots: he won Best Caesar in Toronto and Canada in 2016 (the cocktail, not the salad).
Jeff Culp – North Carolina, USA
Jeff Culp, the owner of Patriot Sawmill, brings craftsmanship and precision into everything he does, including axe throwing. He began competing in leagues in Spring 2023 after being convinced (eventually 😄) to give the sport a try, and quickly found his stride across multiple disciplines.
What Jeff loves most about axe throwing is the people, friendships, and the places the sport has taken him. When he’s not competing, Jeff is a car enthusiast with an impressive collection, and a
former go-kart racer with numerous wins.
John Doepke – Wisconsin, USA
John works professionally as an IT Engineer who discovered axe throwing after seeing it on YouTube; learning that a venue was opening in his hometown when he moved back. His favorite part of the sport is the friendships formed through leagues and competition, beginning his competitive journey way back in 2018.
Among his many memorable moments, winning Hatchet Duals at WAKTC stands out the most. He jokes that if he could choose anyone to share a lane with, it would be world champion Hatchet Duals partner Tyler Flynn…but only if they’re on a team, and his favorite quote reflects that competitive humor: “Sucks to suck.” Beyond throwing, John is a former endurance athlete who has completed marathons, triathlons, and even an Ironman, and he carries a unique family fact: he has a twin brother, and his father was an identical twin as well.
Kevin McNair – Connecticut, USA
Wearing many hats outside the lanes as an NF Sales Support Manager, photographer, and improv performer and teacher. He began throwing in league play in 2023 after a friend casually suggested giving axe throwing a try; an
invitation that quickly turned into a passion.
Kevin lives by the quote: “It doesn’t matter how well you throw. Just be a good person.” Outside of competing at WATL, Kevin has performed in over 1,000 live shows and hosted a long-running NYC show called My First Tattoo despite not having a tattoo himself. As a Community Ambassador, Kevin brings creativity, empathy, and integrity to the lanes and the community alike.
Leslie Wellman – Michigan, USA
Sometimes known as “Pocket Cheese”, Leslie works in Investment Research. Her path into throwing began when her husband and friends started a league after a bachelor party. She jumped in as the only woman, struggled early, stuck with it, and like our other ambassadors, what she loves most is the community: a place she never expected to find where she truly fits and feels comfortable.
Her most memorable moment came at the 2024 World Championship in Oklahoma, where she won Big Axe Duals on ESPN alongside her husband, Dustin. Leslie’s favorite mantra sums it up: “Go big or go home. If you’re going to cry, do it in your car.” Beyond the lanes, Leslie creates wood-burned art and air fresheners, while proudly sharing life with her pets Finley and Bella. A unique fact she owns with candor: she’s narcoleptic, and still shows up strong, focused, and competitive.
Mark Tennant – Virginia
Mark works as a facility supervisor and was introduced to axe throwing after friends invited him out, and a venue manager encouraged him to join a league, which turned out to be an invitation that quickly became a passion. Now competing in every discipline, he thrives on the challenge and focus the sport demands.
What Mark enjoys most about axe and knife throwing is the community and constant
challenge to improve. He dreams of throwing on the main stage at the World Axe Throwing Championships no matter the opponent, and lives by the mindset “Don’t think, just throw!”. Beyond the lanes, Mark enjoys disc golf and hunting.
Mat Ball – Missouri
Better known as “Meatball”, Mat owns six fitness centers across southwest Missouri, bringing a strong community-first mindset into everything he does. His introduction to axe throwing came during a work party when a lane coach talked him into trying it, and his wife encouraged him to find a
hobby. That push quickly turned into what will likely be a lifelong passion.
Having built lasting friendships that have become like family, his competitive journey began in a big way at the 2020 World Championship in Atlanta, just three months after he started throwing, when a Hatchet Duals qualifier turned into a lottery bid and a lifelong addiction to the sport. When he’s
not throwing, Mat enjoys fishing, cooking, and shopping for candles.
Melody Rohaly – Indiana
Melody Rohaly is based in Evansville, Indiana, where she works not only as a Home Depot associate, but also an axe coach. Her introduction to axe throwing came after trying it at a food truck festival (nice), an experience that evolved into a massive part of her life. She loves both the
community and, as she puts it, “throwing sharp stuff.”
While she has too many memorable
moments to choose just one, she’s always happiest sharing a lane with good ol’ Pocket Cheese (Leslie Wellman), where the competition is only matched by nonstop fun. When she’s not competing, Melody enjoys going to concerts.
Michael Theodorou – Oklahoma
A self-described “bit of everything” by trade, Michael’s introduction to axe throwing came just before the 2020 pandemic, when his sister insisted he take her husband out of the house once a week, with axe throwing being the best option he could find. That’s where he met Colby Dean, and, in his words, “it’s been all downhill since then.” Jokes aside, what he claims to keep him coming back is the community: a group of like-minded people who love the same weirdly perfect sport.
Among many memorable moments, one stands out most: finishing second in
Duals at Worlds with Colby Dean, a partnership defined by fierce competition, mutual respect, and brotherly trash talk, even if it ended with a finals loss on ESPN. Away from the lanes, Michael’s hobbies currently include collecting and disposing of dirty diapers for his two daughters, and he’ll happily tell you an interesting fact about himself: he’s exceptionally handsome…and only moderately annoying.
Nicholas Richardson – Montana, USA
Introduced to the sport through family recommendations, Nicholas quickly fell in love with axe throwing and the precision it demands. He competes across all disciplines, and what keeps him passionate is the blend of technical precision and community that defines the sport.
Nicholas’ competitive journey began with the Jackalope Jamboree in 2021, and one of his most memorable moments was hosting (and competing in) a 47-person Hatchet Marathon, a chaotic, but unforgettable milestone for his venue. Away from throwing, Nicholas thrives on extreme sports, gaming, and creative pursuits from woodworking & laser work to painting and detailed pencil art, embodying creativity both on and off the lanes.
Nick Kolomyja – Alberta, Canada
Like others on this page, Nick’s hallmark passion for the sport extends beyond competition into building community. His journey into axe throwing started at a birthday party, where a coach casually suggested he was pretty good and should try league play. Skeptical at first, Nick still signed up on the spot.
Nick’s competitive axe throwing career has been packed with memorable moments including multiple televised axe throwing competition appearances. Known for his humor and energy, his favorite call on the lanes is “Sexy times!” when double Killshots are hit. When he’s not throwing, he’s working on a 1968 Chevelle project car and a 1947 truck. For Nick, axe throwing is about pushing limits, enjoying the people around you, and taking a few hours to forget about life and have fun.
Rob Keller – Colorado, USA
Rob “Slasher” Keller works as a Materials Handler at the U.S. Air Force Academy. His introduction to axe throwing came when he and a friend were looking for an affordable alternative to shooting sports; after giving it a try, their coach encouraged them to join league, and the rest is history.
What Robert loves most about the sport is the tournament experience and the phenomenal community that surrounds it. Beyond axe throwing, Robert enjoys competitive cornhole, gaming, and collecting folding knives and balisongs, and he brings a fun twist to his bio with a surprising fact: he once solved a Rubik’s Cube in 12.38 seconds.
Ruben Vargas – Florida, USA
Ruben Vargas works professionally as an IT Project Manager and discovered axe throwing during a random date night in Orlando, a moment that quickly turned into a lasting passion. He thrives on the competitive energy found within local leagues and the broader community.
If he could choose anyone to share a lane with, it would be Austin Shepperd,
pushing each other to the next level both competitively and collaboratively. Beyond the lanes, Ruben enjoys target practice and proudly notes that he is a college graduate with honors, bringing discipline and drive into everything he does within the World Axe Throwing League and World Knife Throwing League communities.
Scott Hajek – Oklahoma, USA
Scott, also known as “Frog Man”, works at a VA Hospital where brings the same dedication and service mindset into the throwing community. Scott’s introduction to axe throwing came by pure chance running into James Tolbert, another competitor. An invitation to try axe throwing was all it took, and he was instantly hooked.
Scott lives by the simple mantra “Throw Better!” and has been awarded two Purple Hearts, a reflection of the resilience, heart, and commitment he brings both on and off the lanes.
Scott St. Clair – New Hampshire, USA
Scott St. Clair is a retired former axe throwing venue General Manager who remains deeply connected to the throwing community. He now runs Dad’s Place, a community-focused space that reflects his people-first approach to the sport and the camaraderie the sport provides.
If given the choice, Scott would love to share a lane with former world champion Ryan Smit, citing his constant
discipline as a source of respect and curiosity. His favorite quote, “Who sucks less?”, captures his competitive humor. Off the lanes, Scott enjoys boating and fishing, and proudly notes that at 66, he’s one of the sport’s more seasoned competitors; still throwing strong and loving every minute of it.
Shane Funke – Iowa, USA
Shane Funke manages Ironside Axe Club, where his passion for the sport and its people shines every day. Shane’s intro to axe throwing came during a group outing with friends, where he was jokingly “bullied” into throwing after showing natural talent, and he’s been hooked ever since.
What Shane loves most about axe throwing is the community: the way people come together, support one another, and share a genuine love for the sport. He credits
competitors like Mike Arita for inspiring positivity and energy, and lives by the mantra “W.W.C.D. (What Would Casey Do?)”. Away from the lanes, Shane enjoys Magic: The Gathering, gaming
with his wife and child, and has an undeniable love for popcorn.