That’s the sound that filled the White County Archery range Saturday morning through the early afternoon. It was the first weekend of regionals at the range and more than 100 youngsters from age 7 thru high school descended on the range at 1704 West Main in Carmi aiming for a spot at State competition. Mike Westfall, a coach for both NCOE and White County Archery which launched sometime in 2017 or 2018, says there are about 20 clubs throughout the state, many of them in the region. He says he attributes part of the growth to new opportunities and parents being able to use it as a bonding occasion with their children.
There are both indoor and outdoor seasons for Scholastic 3D Archery or S3DA. While indoor focuses on traditional round targets, outdoor gets kids out in nature with 3D animal targets. Many of the nation’s best shooters come from this area.
A total of 9 teams took part in Saturday’s regional coming from as far south as Hardin County and as far north as the Effingham area. Westfall estimates between 200 and 300 spectators. A second regional will be held next Saturday at 9am and noon. State qualifiers will compete in Springfield Saturday, February 18th.
Coaches in the area include:
Mike Westfall – NCOE and White County Archery
Scott Fiala – NCOE and White County Archery
Eric Gholson – Carmi and White County Archery
Jeremy Smitty – Carmi Archery
Adam Winkleman – White County Archery
Dave Marshall – White County Archery
Mike Settles – White County Archery
Donnie Millenbine – Rend Lake College Archery Coach
Ricky Sauls – Southeastern Illinois College Coach
Earl Lawrence – Wabash Valley College Coach
Sidney Jones – Wabash Valley College Assistant Coach
Darren Williams – Olney White Squirrels Coach
Jason Ginder – Olney White Squirrels Coach
Josh White – Hamilton County Archery Coach
Westfall says if parents or kids are interested in learning more they can reach out to him directly at 618-384-1095. Tuesday nights are reserved for closed practices at the White County Archery Range. Thursdays are open for the public to shoot and/or learn more from 5:30pm – 8pm. Sundays are also open for the public to shoot and/or learn more from 3pm – 6pm.
