Dennis and Marg Carson have each brought home two medals from the 2012 National Open Archery Championships hosted by Tuggeranong Archery Club in the ACT. Competing in the Masters division, Dennis took gold in both the target and field events. Day 1 of the field event saw Dennis shoot 388, with Bob Walpole of South Australia in second 25 points behind. Dennis continued his form on Day 2, shooting a 383. Finishing on 771, Dennis took the gold, 46 points ahead of Walpole on 725.
The target event again saw Dennis and Walpole on top of the leader board. Dennis started strongly and didn’t relinquish his grip on first place over the two-day event, finishing with 1388 on Day 1 and 1390 on Day 2. His total of 2778 secured the gold, with Walpole again taking silver on 2686.
Shooting her first national tournament since switching to a compound bow, Marg, competing in the Veterans division, brought home silver in the field event and bronze in the target. Day 1 of the Field event saw Marg leading on 300, with Marian Willis of WA in second on 296. Day 2 saw Willis shoot a 302, with Marg returning with 279. Marg’s total of 579 secured her the silver medal, with Willis taking the gold with 598.
Competition in the Target event on Day 1 was very even. Willis led the day on 1279, with Pat Freeman of Tasmania second on 1274 and Marg third on 1262. Day 2 saw quite a tussle between Freeman and Willis, with Freeman jumping ahead to take the gold with a total of 2584, Willis the silver on 2578 and Marg the bronze medal with 2478.
The Nationals were also the launching platform for the shadow Olympic squad of which Dennis is one of the coaches. The team of three men and three women will travel with Dennis to South Korea this week for an intensive coaching camp. The archers will attend the archery academy run by world renowned Korean coach Mr Kim Htung Tak. Mr Kim is a specialist technical coach with over 30 years of experience at the highest level of the sport. Following the camp, the archers will compete in the first World Cup being held in Shanghai China from April 10 to 15. The World Cup series of three events over the next three months will see the final team and individual qualifying tournaments contested and the Olympic team announced after the June event.
Saturday May 5, will see the next beginners’ course start. The course runs for three weeks on Saturday afternoons, introducing participants to the basics for safe and enjoyable archery. Participants can then shoot with the Club on Sunday mornings for a further six weeks. If you would like further information or would like to register to participate, please contact Dennis & Marg Carson after hours on 6772 1029.
Armidale Archers shoot at the Rockvale Road range every Sunday morning from 9am. For further information, please go to our website www.armidalearchers.com.au.
