I’ve been asked if the photo you see of me posing with a perfect end, was staged. They often are and heck, someone with a blog, who is a coach, doesn’t want to pose with a bunch of poor shots. The photo was not staged and was shot on the last end of the 2013 USA Archery Outdoor Target Nationals.

Here’s the back story. I shot a very strong 70 meter distance to start the tournament and followed with an acceptable 60 meter score. On day two I shot myself out of a podium chance with a substandard 50 meter score. Dave Wearne and I were 4th and 5th respectively, going to the 30 meter distance. It’s hard to make up ground at 30m but I found myself with an outside chance of overtaking Dave through 5 ends. On the last end of the tournament, I had a slim chance of edging Dave. I knew it would take a special end. I told myself to relax and shoot one shot. The rest of the arrows followed  the first and I was able to sneak into 4th, by virtue of a higher 10 count, if I remember correctly.

Gary Yamaguchi (who won the tournament) took the photo. It is an end and a performance that is etched in my mind. I’ve won Outdoor Nationals in the past, yet this end, in this tournament, is as significant an end as I’ve shot.