Box Elder News Journal

Bowmen on target

Erin Young / Box Elder News Journal
Kyle Douglas raises his hand in victory after winning the Young Adult Freestyle Championship in a shoot out at the World Archery Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada, the largest archery competition held in the United States.
By Sean Hales
Managing editor
The Brigham City-based archery group, the Brigham Bowmen, have experienced a significant amount of success recently, with members scoring big wins and notching top marks in state and international competitions.
At the top of that list is 17-year-old Kyle Douglas’ win at the 3-day World Archery Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada, the largest archery competition held in the United States.
At the conclusion of 10 ends, Douglas and Sebastian Cooper of Missouri were tied for first with a score of 897/900. In the overtime end, Douglas edged Cooper, 29-28, to win the Young Adult Freestyle Championship.
“I was really nervous,” said Douglas, who got his first compound bow at the age of five. “I know the other kid shoots just as good as me and had just as good a chance at winning.” Not to mention the large crowd—including the more than 40 other members of the Brigham Bowmen cheering him on—and the TV cameras broadcasting the event over the airwaves.
In the end, Douglas relied on his training and three years of competitive shooting. He didn’t try to force anything.
“I just basically trusted my shot,” Douglas said. I just did everything I’d been practicing and hoped it would pull through for me.”
Brigham Bowmen president Corey Barton said Douglas’ feat under such circumstances is impressive, especially considering the pressure of the situation and the fact that archery is such a mental sport.
“That’s quite an accomplishment at such a young age,” Barton said. “That’s pretty overwhelming for most individuals and he handled it pretty well.”
Douglas is humble about his accomplishment, and doesn’t yet have any immediate plans to see how far his skills and talent will take him.
“I know there are people who shoot better than me,” Douglas said. “I had a good weekend and they didn’t have such a good weekend. I have a lot of practicing to do before I can be consistently on top.”
Barton said he thinks it’s only a matter of time.
“I fully anticipate him giving them a run for their money,” Barton said about Douglas’ graduation next year into the adult division. And beyond that, “I fully anticipate seeing Kyle shooting with the World Cup shooters.”
Douglas won $3,500 for the win, not including any considerations provided by his sponsors, PSE Archery and Gibson Archery in Brigham City. Douglas is a field staff shooter for both businesses.
Douglas was one of 22 Brigham Bowmen members who competed at Las Vegas, but only four others shot in the championship divisions: Rick Rallison and Jeff Lindsay in the Senior Division, Judd Olsen in the Male Freestyle Division and Kort Baird in the Young Adult Freestyle Division, along with Douglas.
About a week earlier, members of the Brigham Bowmen showed well at the Utah State 3-Spot Championship in West Jordan, with six shooters taking first place in their divisions and 12 archers overall finishing fifth place or better out of the 18 club members who competed in the event.
“I’m very proud of the level of performance we got out of our shooters,” Barton said. “I think that the level that our club is shooting is outstanding.”
Brigham Bowmen first-place winners at the state tournament were: Lexi Velasquez, Cub Female Bowhunter Freestyle; Erin Young, Adult Female Bowhunter Freestyle; Chris Barton, Senior Female Freestyle; Jeff Lindsay, Senior Male Freestyle; Marvin Bunderson, Silver Senior Male Bowhunter Freestyle; and Arlo Ward, Master Senior Male Freestyle.
Other placers were: Kort Baird, second, Young Adult Male Freestyle; Andy Ward, fourth, Adult Male Bowhunter Freestyle; Rick Rallison, fourth, Senior Male Freesyle; Amanda Ward, fifth, Adult Female Bowhunter Freestyle; Kolt Douglas, fifth, Young Adult Male Freestyle; and Shafer Martinez, fifth, Adult Male Bowhunter Freestyle.