Welcome to the ITAA Athlete Spotlight!

 

Every couple months, we will shine the spotlight on a fellow ITAA member.  Whether they have performed well in a competition, supported the organization, or are just really, really good looking, this is a member you should get to know!

 

In this edition, we’re shining the light on the hugely successful Southeastern Illinois College Archery team, coached by Archie Blair.  Not familiar with them?  Ask all the Division I schools that watched as SIC women’s team took the 2012 USCA National 3D championship…in their first season!  Learn a little more about the leaders of the women’s and men’s teams below.

 

First up: Katie Davies

1) What’s your favorite style of archery to shoot?

My favorite style of archery is competitive archery.

2) How did you get started in the sport?

I first got into archery is when my parents Adopted me from Russia at the age 9. They shot a lot so they got me a bow and I started shooting.

3) What archery accomplishment are you most proud of?

Winning first place in the Nationals guest division is one of my most proud moments.

4) What’s your most embarrassing archery moment?

My most embarrassing archery moment is when I was shooting ASA and I was up at the first target. I wasn’t paying much attention and i drew back and put a 40 yard pin on a 25 yard target, and my arrow when right over it.

5) Any advice for your fellow archers?

My advice would be… Don’t ever give up and practice.

 

Next: Ashley Evans

1) What’s your favorite style of archery to shoot?

Deer hunting/3d

2) How did you get started in the sport?

My dad started hunting first and watching him shoot it looked fun, so I got a bow and started shooting and hunting with it.

3) What archery accomplishment are you most proud of?

Winning the shoot out at Columbia Missouri for championship. Also while practicing for the tournament getting a Robin hood.

4) What’s your most embarrassing archery moment?

My first FFA shoot and missing the first target completely.

5) Any advice for your fellow archers?

Keep practicing, keep setting goals, there is always room for improvement.

 

Finally: Aaron Head

1) What’s your favorite style of archery to shoot?

My favorite style of shooting would have to be shooting a compound with a back tension release.

2) How did you get started in the sport?

I first got started in the archery when I was 12 or so.  My father (Martin) would always take me to the local shoots and almost all of the I.B.O. shoots.  So I just picked up a bow and decided that it looked like fun competing against a bunch of people to see who is the best. I haven’t stopped since.

3) What archery accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of getting 8th at the I.B.O. world competing against 200 people or so.  And a close second was getting second in the USCA nationals shooting against my own age group and some big name colleges.

4) What’s your most embarrassing archery moment?

I’m not sure if this is necessarily embarrassing but it is the best I  have got.  I was at the first leg of the IL ASA shoots with the college and I shot horrible, the worst score out of my whole year.  The whole day just couldn’t put anything together and it was the first shoot that our team went to and me being one of the few people that have shot and these kinds of things on the team and i was at the bottom of the pack.  Well it turns out that the timing on my bow was way off and was the reason i did so badly but i did learn to just push through it anytime the your having a bad day your just paying your dues for that good one.

5) Any advice for your fellow archers?

Shoot, shoot, shoot… Practice is key to this sport and if anything is off that day go back to your form and check your gear.  And as i said before push through those bad days because that good one is just waiting around the corner.