The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk Archery Club is off to a great start! Approximately 55 middle school and high school students are learning the skills of archery and participating at area tournaments.
Archers practice twice a week and this year each chooses the tournaments in which they participate. Next year, the club would like to take a more formal approach and take a team of archers to each tournament they participate in. So far this year, archers have gone to Washington, Solon, Eldon/Cardinal, and Springville. Tournaments remaining include Ottumwa, Cedar Rapids and Washington.
This club opportunity has made an impact on its participants. One high school archer said, “I have never been able to participate in a sport before because I don't feel like I fit in. Thank you for starting this so I can be a part of the team. I am enjoying it so much."
The archery club has had great support from parents and the community. Originally Craig Morrison and Casey Peck got the club off the ground and became certified coaches, but now several more are certified including Kent Karnes, Jeremy Statler, Valerie Sieren, Holly Tedder and Chuck Freeman. Other practice volunteers include Jason Hall and Aaron Swartzentruber and many more.
The successful club credits community support and is grateful for donations from Hall Masonry, Fin and Feather, a NASP grant and Statler Construction. It is eager to continue to grow the program next year and expand the number of participants.
