Walking into the Kokomo Conference and Event Center last weekend people stood in a perfect line all the way across the spacious exhibit hall concentrating on the targets that stood in front of them. Behind them hundreds sat watching. People from across the state traveled to Kokomo to take part in the 2016 Indiana Field Archery Association state tournament. The annual event is broken down into many divisions and age brackets. Categories include every type of stick and string from recurves, longbows, modern compounds and even crossbows. Regardless of division all competitors shoot at standardized targets placed exactly 20 yards from the shooting line. Over 260 of the state’s best archers took part in the annual event. To get here, competitors had to take part in qualifying shoots that take place throughout the year. Those scoring the highest earned the chance to become state champions. The sport of archery dates back to primitive times. Although the methods and types of equipment have seen dramatic changes through the centuries, the desire between those who enjoy it has not. “It is something anyone can take part in regardless of athletic ability,” said Julie Slitzer of Versailles, who travelled to Kokomo to watch her 10 year old son compete. “Archery can be an individual sport where you compete against yourself or it can be a team sport as well,” she added. Brooklyn Stone, age five, was giddy with excitement while participating in her first state tournament while holding her pink colored compound bow. “This is so much fun,” she giggled while sending a few arrows downrange in an area designated for practice. Adam Hay, LaPorte, gets ready to send an arrow downrange.
This Group Gets The Shaft
This Group Gets The Shaft
This Group Gets The Shaft
Walking into the Kokomo Conference and Event Center last weekend people stood in a perfect line all the way across the spacious exhibit hall concentrating on the targets that stood in front of them. Behind them hundreds sat watching. People from across the state traveled to Kokomo to take part in the 2016 Indiana Field Archery Association state tournament. The annual event is broken down into many divisions and age brackets. Categories include every type of stick and string from recurves, longbows, modern compounds and even crossbows. Regardless of division all competitors shoot at standardized targets placed exactly 20 yards from the shooting line. Over 260 of the state’s best archers took part in the annual event. To get here, competitors had to take part in qualifying shoots that take place throughout the year. Those scoring the highest earned the chance to become state champions. The sport of archery dates back to primitive times. Although the methods and types of equipment have seen dramatic changes through the centuries, the desire between those who enjoy it has not. “It is something anyone can take part in regardless of athletic ability,” said Julie Slitzer of Versailles, who travelled to Kokomo to watch her 10 year old son compete. “Archery can be an individual sport where you compete against yourself or it can be a team sport as well,” she added. Brooklyn Stone, age five, was giddy with excitement while participating in her first state tournament while holding her pink colored compound bow. “This is so much fun,” she giggled while sending a few arrows downrange in an area designated for practice. Adam Hay, LaPorte, gets ready to send an arrow downrange.