2010 TSAA State Field Championship Summary By TD Rick Stonebraker
2010 State Field Wrap-Up What a wonderful weekend! We had a lot of newbie’s this year and glad to have them and hope they return. The weather on the second day was as cool as could be and very much appreciated by all. Many hours and days go into setting up this temporary state field event and it is not possible without the assistance of the TSAA members who come out on various weekends to do whatever it takes to make this event possible. Even to the point of cutting vines at the base of hundreds of cottonwood trees that choke the life out of them; and no one came away unscathed without the itching that comes along with poisonous vines. But, it has to be done and more of that needs to be done but our work parties are more than work. It is an opportunity to come out, be among friends, BBQ, bring your favorite weapon as we blow up things. In the evening, we watch across the prairie as hundreds of exotic deer graze. Speaking of exotic, on the Wednesday just before the event, John and I lassoed a five-foot alligator to get it out of harms’ way and the morning of the event, Ed Vargas nearly stepped on a rattlesnake. It was killed and grilled for lunch. Gina said it was good!
A major thanks to Nolan Blaschke for his generous support of his land and the use of his enormous LODGE for lodging, dining, and restroom facilities. When I say thanks, it is not me personally (although I certainly appreciate help) but it is the archery community that says thanks to all who come out to make this a huge success. And those who stay afterwards to disassemble the course and put it away for next year. Too many to name there but their assistance is appreciated.
Many records were set this year, especially the Master 50+ barebow division. Both gentlemen broke all the previous records. It is always a shame when one breaks the current records but comes in second place. That shows competitive spirit and character.
Thanks to the 40 participants from the South Texas Archery club or customers of Straight Arrow Archery Learning Center. Without these young archers, archery cannot grow. “Ya’ll come back now, ya hear?”
In rodeo, they give out the “Hard-Luck” award to a cowboy or cowgirl who takes the biggest tumble during the rodeo. A “Hard-Luck” award goes to Roderick Ambrose this year. This courageous stroke survivor took a major tumble on this not-so-kind course, got back up, dusted himself off, completed the round on Saturday and came back on Sunday to finish the event; that takes tenacity and guts. Way-to-go Rod! You the man! Too many stories to write down so hope to see you all next year.
Rick Stonebraker – Tournament Director
Comments from others attending:
“Great Job!!!This was are first time to shoot Field.My son had a wonderful time.Thanks for all the hard work.This is his first year shooting TSAA & JOAD so we are learning.Thanks again, Staci Frerich”
2010 TSAA STATE FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP – May 8-9, 2010
Another successful field shoot, but then again, when it is at the Blaschke Deer Ranch with hundreds of exotic deer roaming the woods, and archers bounding hill & dale having a good time, how can it not be successful. When all was said and done, 61 archers participated in the 27th annual state field championship and the eighth time it has been held at the deer ranch. 37 records were broken and the 61 archers is a near record turnout being surpassed only by 62 in 2004 and 63 in 2008. 2010 should be a record breaker as the field event may move into late April. Be there to make it happen.
Adding to the success was a first, actually two firsts. The first first was the Victoria JOAD club (head chef Tom Barker) having a concession stand featuring freshly grilled hamburgers and hot dogs along with assorted drinks, chips and the like. This was highly received and met with everyone’s approval and hope it will become a mainstay.
The second first was a great idea: Mr. Cliff Brister brought popsicles each day in a Styrofoam container chilled with dry ice. Warnings were given to wait a few minutes before “enjoying” as they were VERY cold; even then, someone took a big lick and got stuck. A close-by group of archers “donated” their water bottle to pour over the frozen treat and the lips of the stuck person. It was hilarious; then minutes later, thinking enough time had elapsed, I got one of the frozen treats stuck to my lower lip; and yes, there is a photo of that on the photo gallery. John Blaschke drove Mr. Brister and the frozen treats around the course and people enjoyed the cool treat while battling the high heat. Without keeping accurate records over the years, it was thought this was the hottest it has been at the field event in Eagle Lake but our archers are real troopers and no one succumbed due to the heat. John made sure there were ample barrels of water and gator-ade throughout the course.
I can’t thank enough, the people that made this possible, especially those who came to the work parties and gave many hours, even days of their time. The True family of Andy, Lanette, Claude, Jessica and Andrew spent three Saturdays helping whip the place into shape and also the Friday before. Our President, Mike Hojnacki spent an equal number of days as well. Co-director John Blaschke works behind the scenes with mowing and numerous other unglamorous chores. Without the support of these types of people, we cannot have such successful events. And to those archers & family who hang around after Sundays events to help take down the course. Days and weeks go into preparing the course and dismantling it takes a few hours. It is an amazing event! RWS
If there are any errors, edits or changes needed in the results table, contact Ricks@texasarchery.org
Tournament Director’s Summary: Needless to say, those that did not attend this event missed out. The attendance was record setting and the weather was as good as it gets this time of year. By all those that made comments, they said it was a very good layout and challenging. We had about 26 newbies this year and by all indications, they said they would return.
I personally would like to thank everyone that pitched in to make this event such a success. Some spent Saturdays helping out, others one day and countless others several hours of their time – all is very much appreciated BECAUSE it is YOUR tournament. An old Amish saying: “Many hands make light work!” Every year I am amazed that it takes about 100 people hours to set up this field and ONLY two hours to take it down. You have to see this to believe it. All new records were broken as FITA changed the target scoring. The “X” ring in the center of the yellow is now scored as a 6 instead of a 5-X. An ATTABOY goes to Mike DeBord for not only spending a Friday helping out but sacrificing both Saturday and Sunday to assist scoring, carrying bows and pulling archers up and downs hills for a special group of people.
The True family spent two entire Saturdays in preparation for this event. Kudos also goes to Mike, Tom, Bruce, Greg, Rod and I hope I didn’t forget anyone. Thanks to T.J., Brandi, Denise and Lu for doing registration and miscellaneous paperwork.
And we couldn’t do anything without Nolan Blaschke for allowing us to play at his property for the last seven years. And I couldn’t do any of this without the help of co-director John Blaschke.
The highlight of the event was early Friday morning while setting up. I was taking care of details when I spotted movement in the underbrush. Upon closer examination, I saw a baby goat, less than 12 hours old. It was born the evening before and was curled in a tight little ball. He raised its head to look at me and I stroked its nose. That made my whole weekend. That photo will be in the gallery soon to be on the webpage with the rest of the photos.
Gaylon Blankenship traveled 6 ½ hours from Oklahoma for the sixth time in seven years. Seven archers trekked in from Shreveport, La. Tim Mundo from England (currently working in Houston) competed with world class scores in preparation for the NAA nationals and a repeat berth on the British National Team to compete at the upcoming World Field Championship. Adam Guggisberg, Clayton DeBord, and Kayla DeBord made it seven for seven. Meagan and Mark Lesak shot one day so that makes 6 ½ years out of seven.
The opening ceremony was unique as music to the Star Spangled Banner was superbly provided by Rachael and Heather Trafford. To those not familiar with field shooting, archers are formed into groups of 3-4 and sent to an assigned target on the course. At a predesignated time, a signal is provided to start competition. This is called a “Shotgun” start. Variations include an air horn, or car horn, or fireworks etc.
This year, a 200-pound cannon started the event. Anyone within 100 yards could feel the earth shake and sound concussion AND set off car alarms in the parking lot.
And as always, please send any edits, deletions or corrections to me and I will get it fixed as soon as possible. Thank you and see you again next year. Rick Stonebraker
2008 TSAA STATE FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP
Round
SAT
Round
SUN
1st
2nd
total
3rd
4th
total
TOTAL
Master 70+ Compound Gentlemen
Morgan, Don
128
124
252
154*
142
295*
548*
Master 60+ Compound Gentlemen
Meyers, Tom
185*
169
354*
171
170
341
695*
Master 60+ Barebow Gentlemen
Frizzell, Mike
120
126
246
136
137*
273*
519*
Master 50+ Barebow Gentlemen
Knowlton, Virgil
59*
39
98*
48
40
88
186*
Master 50+ Compound Gentlemen
Blankenship, Gaylon
184
168
352
185*
183
368*
720*
Locke, Richard
176
156
332
177
168
345
677
Anika, Larry D.
117
101
218
131
121
252
470
Master 50+ Recurve Gentlemen
Petrosky, Greg
102
103*
205*
103
70
173
378*
Norm McCord
80
90
170
95
67
162
332
Senior Recurve Ladies
Meyers, Teresa
143
142
285
149*
138
287*
572*
Senior Compound Ladies
True, Lannette
143
139
282
155*
143
298*
580*
Senior Compound Gentlemen
Guggisberg, Adam
194
183
377
193
196*
389*
766*
Loesch, James
174
170
344
180
193
373
717
Scroggins, John
174
175
349
185
175
360
709
Human, Joseph
169
157
326
179
182
361
687
Kennedy, Kelly
163
172
335
172
180
352
687
True, Andy
153
165
318
179
177
356
674
Human, Joe
133
148
281
150
159
309
590
Hemphill, Kenneth (Guest)
170
171
341
184
177
361
702
Crutcher, Byron (Guest)
135
121
256
143
131
274
530
Senior Recurve Gentlemen
Bateman, Bubba
150
152
302*
147
155*
302
604*
Hojnacki, Mike
135
133
268
136
138
274
542
Jones, Bobby
137
114
251
129
143
272
523
Ringel, Ed
100
102
202
120
117
237
439
Senior Barebow Ladies
Trafford, LiPing
109
118*
227*
80
93
173
400*
Senior Barebow Gentlemen
Trafford, Skip
150*
149
299*
148
137
285
584*
Mundon, Tim (Guest)
171
169
340
148
155
303
643
Note: The scores shot by LiPing Trafford, Skip Trafford and Tim Mundon on Saturday denote an official unmarked round according to FITA rules.
