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!
Today, we’re checking in on the Chicagoland JOAD! Come find out what they love about the sport and how they got involved with the Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) program…
End #1: Rhiann VandeBogart
1) What’s your favorite style of archery to shoot?
My favorite style to shoot is the Olympic recurve style. It is my most comfortable but I have only shot traditional style a few times. I have also looked into the style of the Na’vii from the movie Avatar. It is an odd way to shoot and I’ve yet to work out the oddities but it’s fun.
2) How did you get started in the sport? Why did you pick the JOAD program?
I started right after I saw the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens at the Lockport Park District. The coach at the time recommended that I move on from there and invited me to the range he coaches at. After some years I moved on to JOAD because I wanted to shoot competitively and I had the dream of going to the Olympics.
3) What archery accomplishment are you most proud of?
My best accomplishment was this year’s Nationals in Michigan. I placed 8th out of 46 other competitors in my division. It was one of the best moments that I’ve had in my archery life and I hope to improve for the next one.
4) What’s your most embarrassing archery moment?
I think that would be at my first nationals. I was very nervous at my first big competition and it showed later. The first night was the JOAD nationals and my nervousness showed through in that I put my aperture on wrong and it wasn’t until I called for a malfunction that I noticed it. After that my shooting improved immensely.
5) Any advice for your fellow archers?
Shoot because you love to shoot, compete because it’s fun, and improve because you want to improve. Otherwise it really is no fun to be an archer. Also don’t pressure yourself into frustration because it won’t do you any good. Clear your mind and have fun.
End #2: Cal Eberhart
1) What’s your favorite style of archery to shoot?
Indoor compound, JOAD, FITA and NFAA
2) How did you get started in the sport? Why did you pick the JOAD program?
My dad bought me my first bow at Gander Mountain to try something new. I shot it at a 3D course until it got too cold to be outside. I picked the JOAD program because I wanted to get some instruction, have fun and be able to shoot competitively.
3) What archery accomplishment are you most proud of?
I finished in the top flight at the NFAA Indoor Nationals this year in Louisville, KY, it was my first big tournament.
4) What’s your most embarrassing archery moment?
I’ve kicked my bow over by accident on the line twice (nothing broke).
5) Any advice for your fellow archers?
Make sure that your equipment fits you, find people that are willing to help you, and practice with a purpose. Remember that it is supposed to be fun.
Final End: Kathy Miller (Club President)
1) What’s your favorite style of archery to shoot?
I started shooting recurve, then compound with fingers, then compound with a clicker and a release, and finally compound with a release, which is my favorite style.
2) How did you get started in the sport? Why did you pick the JOAD program?
I learned how to shoot while dating my future husband – Mark Miller. He started me out with a wooden recurve bow (which was purchased from his ex-girlfriend). We would practice at a park in the summer and would shoot in a couple’s league during the indoor season at a range with automated lanes. Eventually, I got pretty good by getting advice from his archery friends who were all top shooters back in the day. After we got married, we both switched to compound with a release.
We picked Auroraland JOAD for our kids, Stephanie and Jonathan, when they began shooting around age 7 – back in 1992, because we wanted them to learn how to shoot recurve and to get proper instruction. It was also great for them to be able to shoot with kids their own age instead of practicing on their own or only with their parents at other ranges where there were only adults. Being in a JOAD program also steered them on the competitive path. The JOAD program provided the opportunities to be competitive at the state, regional, national, collegiate, and international level. They won nationals, made Junior and Senior USAT teams, competed on Junior and Senior US World archery teams and traveled around the world. They also competed at the US Olympic team trials.
Auroraland JOAD then became Neuqua JOAD and ultimately, Chicagoland JOAD in 2001. I was a close friend of Don Branson, the coach and co-founder of Auroraland JOAD, who also was our kids’ personal coach for many years. I eventually became certified as an archery instructor and helped him on occasion when his health was declining, and eventually was part of the core group of JOAD parents who kept the program going after he passed away. Even though my kids aged out of the JOAD program, I have continued to coach and run the program to promote archery in the area and to give other kids and adults the opportunity to try archery and to enjoy it for a lifetime, as our family has!
3) What archery accomplishment are you most proud of?
Although I won the National Target Outdoor Championships in the Master 50+ division a few years ago, I am more proud to have shot a 1311 outdoor FITA score in the Senior Female Compound division and earned my 1300 FITA pin. I am also proud of continuing the Chicagoland JOAD program for the past 12 years. Most recently, however, I am most proud of getting photographer credentials at the World Archery Championships in Antalya, Turkey and at the Para-Archery World Championships in Bankok, Thailand where I was allowed photographer access on the competition field.
4) What’s your most embarrassing archery moment?
Having been involved in archery for over 40 years, I have had many embarrassing archery moments. However, the one that I will never forget, nor will anyone let me, happened at the Brown County Open in Brown County, Indiana at an outdoor FITA round. We were taking a break, and while I was in the outhouse, the Director of Shooting, Brian Sheffler, decided to play a prank on me. He told everyone to “watch this” and proceeded to blow the whistle to start the next end. Of course, I was panicking and trying to get down to the shooting line from the outhouse that was at the top of a hill quite a ways from the shooting line. Everyone got a kick out of watching me run down the hill only to find out that the joke was on me! (Very funny, Brian!!)
5) Any advice for your fellow archers?
Experience is your best teacher. Learn from your mistakes. Learn from the mistakes of others. Take the advice of experienced shooters and coaches. Practice often and compete at different venues. Don’t get upset by a bad day at the practice range or at a tournament, and never give up! Learn from your experiences. Most of what I have learned as a coach has come from my experience with my kids through their years in JOAD and my years as a shooter. And yes, I am still learning!
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