I heard the whispers loud and clear. I heard the people who wanted to see me do well, and I also heard those of you who wished I would fall on my face. I can't begin to explain how much both camps helped me. I used the support of those who rallied behind me, and I used the doubters as motivation. Now, here is the story of my 2021 archery season.
Making the Decision
I sat at my desk one morning punching keys while working and looked at the top of my desk. I saw a variety of archery and writing awards on the top of the desk, and I also saw the three books I have written.
That's when I realized how lucky I am to have the ability to write a book. Furthermore, I know that very few people write books... and I had written three of them at the time.
Looking to the left of the books, I saw a few IBO World Championship belt buckles, National Triple Crown buckles, and state and regional buckles mixed in with a few ASA Pro-Am awards.
That's when I picked up the phone and called my buddy Jeff Wagoner. The phone rang twice before he picked up. "I'm all in, buddy. I'm going to try my hand at Senior Pro this year," I exclaimed into the phone.
He quickly responded, "I didn't know if you would do it, but I want to try it too. Let's do it."
With that five-minute conversation, I was all in. There was no turning around. I told my mother and father and a few close friends. I figured I would let the others find out as the word leaked out... and it didn't take long.
Game On
After the conversation, I knew I had to put everything I had into improving my shot, so I decided to sidestep shooting in any indoor winter leagues and focus all of my energy on that task. However, I set a goal to win the NFAA Indoor National, the NFAA Mid-Atlantic Sectional and the NFAA Indoor State Championship. I figured if I could pull that feat off, I would know I could overcome some steep obstacles and deal with some pressure along the way, as there is no pressure like the pressure of shooting in indoor tournaments.
At the end of the spring, I had accomplished those three goals that I set as a group goal, and I knew my mental game was on par with my shooting.
Heading into 3D Season
When I headed outside from indoor shooting, I went to Connecticut to spend the day with my buddy Sean Roberts. He volunteered to help me with my bows to figure out what bow I was going to shoot outdoors. After a lot of thinking, I decided I should shoot the same bow I have shot indoors for the last three years, so I decided to use the PSE Supra Focus. While I had never shot it outdoors, I figured the bow had always given me a chance to win indoors, and I had shot many good scores with it, never shooting a clunker. I would use my Evoke 35 as a backup bow. I had shot that bow in about five national events, never finishing below seventh place with it. The first round I ever shot with the Supra Focus a few days after getting it was a 450 and I used SuperDrive 23s. Since that would be my setup for outdoors, I felt really confident. The first few rounds were spot on.
The First 3D Tournament of the Year
After getting my ass handed to me at the first shoot of the year, an ASA regional tournament, I knew I needed to make some changes.
I made the changes and headed into the first leg of the IBO Northeast Triple Crown in Massachusetts. This shoot has gained the notoriety of being one of the toughest in our region, and it lived up to the hype.
I absolutely destroyed the course and knew I was ready. I would go on to have a few more performances like that one before packing my bags and heading to West Virginia for my debut in the Senior Pro class. I knew I was ready, and I knew I could win. I called Mike Price before leaving, and we talked about a problem I was having in my shot. We talked in simple terms and Mike told me to listen to what I had shot told him. Stepping back and looking at it, I knew exactly what he was getting at. He helped me to incorporate a new step into my shot process, and that step would pay huge dividends the rest of the year. I already had the answer I was looking for, but Mike confirmed it for me and told me to work on the relaxation of my release hand as a step in my shot.
First Leg of the IBO National Triple Crown
After getting to West Virginia, my 20 practice targets were just like my shooting at home. I shot well and felt ready for the next day.
When I got to my first target, I learned I would be shooting with Richard Owens and Glenn Meadows. They had split people up in alphabetical order. Although I expected to be in a group of four, I didn't mind shooting in a group of three.
I smoked my first target, a 47-yard antelope, and was on my way.
At the end of the day, I found myself sitting in fifth place, and I heard all of the whispers. I heard people predicting my crash and burn the next day because they didn't know me. However, I knew I would put on a better show the next day. I trust my abilities when it's time to perform.
As I got to my stake the second day, I was greeted by some of the best professional archers to have ever walked on this planet: Allen Conner, Rodger Willett and Tim Gillingham.
I knew I was going to have to stick to my game plan and shoot good shots. As I treaded water through the first 10 targets, I remained afloat. Going into the last 10 of the tournament, I knew it was time to bear down.
I allowed my concentration to go to another level, which brought me into the zone, and I finished the day with seven 11s on my last nine targets. I would go into the shoot-off sitting in third place, and that's how I would finish. I felt good about my performance, but I also knew that I had shot far too many 8s. Although I led the Senior Pro division with the most 11s for the 40 targets, I was disappointed that I let a victory slip away by taking all the 8s due to poorly executed shots. I had phenomenal numbers for the tournament and that is what allowed me to finish where I finished.
Second Leg and Kentucky ASA
Unfortunately, I came down with a severe head/chest cold after the first leg, and it took its toll for the next month. It zapped me of my energy and really reared its ugly head in Kentucky at the ASA. I coughed and battled a severe headache and runny nose the entire weekend. I had no strength, which made it almost impossible to shoot good shots. Being so weak led to me shooting four fives. All of the fives were due to weak shots. My body just didn't have the gas in the tank to get to the finish line. I still finished in the top half of the class, even though I don't think I could've performed any worse.
I headed to Franklin, Pa., for the 2nd Leg of the IBO Triple Crown the next weekend, and the cold was still lingering. I couldn't throw the weakness I was feeling throughout my body, and my ribs were sore from all of the coughing. I battled my way through the first round and found myself sitting in fifth place again at the end of the first day. While my performance wasn't that good, I was still able to put up a halfway decent score for the conditions of the course and my health issues.
The next day didn't get off to a good start, but I never gave in. I tried my hardest to cross the finish line in front of the peloton, but I didn't succeed. I shot three 8s in my last 10 targets and missed the shoot-off by four points, finishing in ninth place.
Evaluating my performance on the way home, I realized that the bow wasn't performing as I wanted it to. That's when I realized I had a few issues that needed to be fixed. I also needed to change the strings and cables, and I hate changing stuff. I'm always of the mind, "if it's not broke, don't fix it." Unfortunately, the cables had run their course.
Third Leg of the IBO National Triple Crown
I struggled like crazy preparing for the last leg. I just couldn't get a bow to shoot like I wanted it to. Finally, I decided on using my backup bow, the Evoke 35. I had had a lot of success with it in the past, but it gave me a different feel after shooting the deflexed riser on the Supra Focus for so long. So it took me a little bit to get used to the bow.
I knew I would be in the second peer group for the National Triple Crown. I was going into it in fifth place. I knew I could get onto the podium with a good performance, so I approached it like any other tournament. I figured slow and steady wins the race.
Once again, after the first day, I found myself sitting in the top 5 at fourth place.
The next day, I kept my focus on my shot and continued making good shots until the end. When all was said and done, I learned that I was going into the shoot-off in fourth place, just a few points out of second. I ended up finishing on the podium in third place and fourth overall for the National Triple Crown, just two points out of third.
The IBO World Championship
Although I tried getting the Supra Focus back to where I wanted it, I just couldn't get it to feel like I had it in West Virginia, so I rolled into the World Championship with the Evoke 35 again.
My first day went well. I battled some demons along the way, but I ended in the top five once again. I knew I would have to shoot better the second day. I just didn't feel great about my performance.
I kept steady the second day, but I paid the price with a couple of sub-par shots and one misjudged yardage. I barely missed a handful of 11s at less than 1/2 inch, too. However, when Bowjunkie Media announced I had made the cut, I was feeling pretty good. Unfortunately, the high turned into a low, when I learned that two shooters came in well after most others, and I got bumped by one point, and there were no ties to get me in. I finished in sixth place.
I'm glad I took the chance to enter the Senior Pro class this year, as my thoughts about how I would do became realties. I enjoyed shooting with many of the guys I had shot with in MBO and SPM back in the day, and I also enjoyed making friends with many new people. It was a great experience.
Amazingly, the competition level reminded me of the local shoots I used to go to in the mid to late '90s when there were about 10-15 guys who could win. You knew if you could hang with those guys, you had a chance to win. Winning those local shoots back in the day helped me with my venture this year. I felt like I was shooting against Tracy Stevenson, Jeff Jenkins, Jake Putnam, Dave Montero, Brett DuFour, Travis Boyd, Chris Fletcher, Jeff Alderman, Al Arpin, and the many others who always made things interesting every Sunday. All of those people made me better.
I never doubted that I would be successful. If I had any doubts, I wouldn't have jumped into the class. However, many others had their doubts. Some people kept their thoughts to themselves, while others voiced their opinions to a select few. I thank all of you -- the doubters and the supporters -- because I used all of you for motivation.
When I evaluate my year, I have to say that I'm pretty pleased. In the IBO events, I never finished out of the top nine, and I was in the top three twice and finished sixth at the world. If I could do that again next year, I'd be ecstatic.
I'm going to work hard on my shot in the off-season to get my shot timing a little more consistent. I'm not sure if I will increase holding weight or just take a different approach with my shot. I'll feel it out as I go. I'm going to keep preparing so I can be ready when opportunity knocks.
I've considered going to the first few ASAs next year to see how it goes. If it goes well, I may shoot a few more of them. ASA is a tough game to play if I'm not playing it regularly, but I know I always held me own at those tournaments back in the day.
I also just want to thank everyone who joined me on my journey this year. I appreciate all of my friends, new and old alike. I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
"When you are driven by passion and powered by purpose greater than yourself, this will help you overcome any obstacle and any challenge, and help you achieve the seemingly impossible." -- Chris Bertish
