4-H archers right on the mark at county fair
By JARED JERNAGAN
Sports Editor
The storm that moved through Greencastle Sunday evening delayed the 4-H archery competition and left the competitors with a lot more mud on their shoes.
It did little, though, to dampen their spirits or weaken their aim.
Of the 84 kids enrolled in archery in 2008, 64 gathered to show off the skills they have honed in the project.
"It went great," Archery Club Superintendent Keith Redman said. "I think it was a little better because the wind died down (after the storm)."
Certainly the archers had a lot less dust to deal with afterward. It had all turned to mud.
With four different flights of anywhere between 12 and 20 archers shooting at once, the competitors were not only focusing on how well they shot, but also on safety.
Each round of shots began and ended with whistle commands. Two whistles called the archers to the line. One whistle gave them the go-ahead to fire.
Three whistles meant the all archers had finished and stepped away from the line. Scorers could move forward at that time.
Four or more whistles, a sound that was thankfully not heard Sunday, tell the archers to cease fire immediately.
With the arrows all fired and the scores counted, the competitors were all called forward for their prizes. The Cloverdale Conservation Club, the local Fraternal Order of Police chapter and the Covered Bridge Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation sponsored this year's awards.
In the junior traditional bow division, Jordan Hughes won first place, followed by Rebekah Kelly and Ethan Williamson. In the senior traditional division Declan Taylor was the winner, followed by Shea Arnold and Braden Taylor.
In the junior compound division Tanner Dean took first place. Trever Bingham was second, followed by Kaelynn Abner. In senior compound, Blake Cross was first with Elizabeth Comer and Jacob Williams in second and third.
In the overall competition, Cross was named the grand champion, with Declan Taylor winning reserve grand champion.
Between the public address, scoring and the all-around organization of the competition, Redman was not alone in his organization of the show. He wished to thank all the volunteers who helped make things go smoothly.