Demon archers winning

Even though it is a non-contact sport, archery has been affected by the coronavirus.

This archery season has seen some added challenges to the sport, as all others have.

The numbers have dipped from previous years' attendance for the Washington schools archery teams.

There currently are 110 archers on the teams, which is lower than past years, approximately 10-15 percent lower, according to program director Kathy Stender.

'We were expecting a reduced number due to the pandemic,” she said.

It is affecting local archers practice times and there are less targets because they are all now been moved to be set up six feet apart.

'We have shortened practice times with everyone wearing masks at all times,” Stender said. Archers are required to have their own equipment. Everyone sanitizes upon entry and exit from the facility.

Tournament registrations are limited due to each school's COVID-19 restrictions.

A virtual tournament has been an answer to the coronavirus threat.

In a virtual tournament, archers don't travel to the host school. It allows archers to shoot at their own school, within a scheduled time period, then submit scorecards to the host school for compilation and declaration of winners.

The Washington Middle School and High School archery teams for each won first place in the Marion tournament Saturday Jan. 9. The archers actually shot at targets during specific times as virtual participants at their Thursday Jan. 7 practice in Washington.

Top High School female archers: 1st Place: Alexis Ide (286), 5th Place: Iris Peterson (277), 7th Place: Samantha Frana (272), 10th Place: Hayden Janecek (271).

Top High School male archers: 6th Place: Brian Fritz (279), 7th Place: Lane Frana (276), 10th Place: Jack Strabala (273).

Top Middle School female archers: 1st Place: Madison Conway (277), 2nd Place: Jade Sheetz (274), 4th Place: Audrey Smith(274), 6th Place: Hannah Lipski (261), 7th Place: Izzy Peterson (260).

Top Middle School male archers: 2nd Place: Cash Pepper (267), 4th Place: Nicholas Charlier (261), 5th Place: Teague Pepper (260), 9th Place: Blake Sheetz (253).

The Washington teams participated in an actual tournament Jan. 16 at North Scott High School in Eldridge and won again.

There were 26 high school archers that claimed first with a team score of 3295.

The middle school's 36 archers shot a winning score of 3122.

'They are doing well and continue to improve,” Stender said. 'It is important to note, we want archers to strive for perfect technique. This is what leads to better scores.”

Washington will host a virtual tournament Saturday.