By MATT SCHUCKMAN

Herald-Whig Sports Writer

EDINA, Mo. -- Tucked into the cockpit of a Piper PA-28 Cherokee aircraft, sitting alone on the runway prepped for his first solo flight, Daniel McMahon felt something he's rarely sensed in all his athletic endeavors.

He was nervous.

"Yeah, I'm not going to lie," McMahon said. "There was a lot going on."

At that moment, he realized he was in control.

"Me and the plane, that's it," said McMahon, whose began taking flying lessons last fall and attempted his first solo flight three weeks ago when he flew from Kirksville to Marshall. "It's a different feeling ... it's pretty neat. It's quite the experience."

Life, in general, has been quite an experience for McMahon the last five months.

The Knox County senior led the Eagles to their first district basketball title in 37 years, scoring 15 points in the 56-49 victory over Westran. It earned him first-team all-area honors and a spot on the Missouri team for the McDonald's/Herald-Whig Classic.

He's been the Eagles' ace this spring, compiling a 6-1 record and leading the baseball team to a 12-2 record as district play begins Monday. And he's appeared in Coonhound Bloodlines magazine in an article about raising coon dogs written by the trainer McMahon purchased his dog from.

"I have a pretty decent dog," McMahon said. "And hunting is my second nature."

Success seems to be, too.

Dubbed "a good old-fashioned Northeast Missouri boy" by Knox County coach Jesse Crawford, McMahon harvested a 5-x-5 Colorado elk with his bow as a high school freshman and has other trophy kills.

"I like being in the outdoors, riding a 4-wheeler, hunting, anything," McMahon said.

Nothing, though, compares to the games he plays.

"Right now, hitting a home run and striking somebody out are the biggest thrills," McMahon said. "When you're 17 years old, there isn't much better than hitting a home run with the game on the line."

He did that earlier this season against district rival Canton.

With game tied at 4 in the sixth inning, McMahon belted a two-run homer -- his second of the game -- to lead the Eagles to an 8-5 victory. He also pitched a complete game, scattering just five hits.

Overall, he is hitting .472 with team highs in runs scored

"What makes him a great competitor is he refuses to lose," said Crawford, who is the head baseball and basketball coach at Knox County. "He's afraid to fail. He doesn't want to be subpar. If he goes 0 for 3, he wants six extra rounds of batting practice to get it right.

"In six years coaching baseball , he is the hardest working, most fiercely competitive kid I've been around. The drive to be great is where he stands out. He has that extra gear he can kick it when he needs."

That was evident during basketball season as well.

In the championship game of the Brashear Tournament, McMahon finished with 22 points, five assists and four steals as the Eagles beat the host school 77-62. He topped 30 points three times and finished the season averaging 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

And it was during basketball he expanded his role beyond playmaker and became a leader.

"He's been more positive with his teammates, a better role model and a true captain," Crawford said. "Our guys know he might holler at you, but two minutes later, he's your best friend. They root for him as much as he does for them. You're starting to see them get behind each other."

They hope it leads to another historic moment.

The Eagles, seeded second in the Class 1 District 11 baseball tournament, won their only district title in 1965, and if history could be made in basketball, why can't it be made in baseball, too.

"We feel we can contend with anyone," McMahon said. "Knowing you have done it, knowing it's possible, that gives you an edge."

It's even caused him to wonder what winning a state title might be like.

"I would love for that dream to come true," McMahon said.

When you live life in the clouds, that's not too far out of reach.

-- mschuckman@whig.com/221-3366