The World Youth Championships have inspired Armidale archer Samantha Carson to further her shooting aspirations and she now hopes to qualify for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, while her father Dennis has returned from last week’s state field championships as NSW champion.
Samantha travelled to Turkey earlier this month to contest this event.
This was a new experience for her and as with any sport at this level nerves play a huge role.
Samantha achieved her goal of a personal best score, shooting 1295 in the ranking round. This placed her 29th, which meant she then had to shoot against the archer who finished 36th in the first match play.
Unfortunately nerves got the better of her in this match and she was knocked out. Although disappointed that she did not get through this the experience gained and the opportunity to be part of an Australian team was ‘awesome’.
Australia did not come home empty handed winning one gold and two bronze team medals as well as an individual bronze.
Samantha is having a short break from archery now to sit her HSC exams.
As Samantha returned from Turkey Dennis travelled to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open Championships.
This was the same program as the World Youth Championships with a Fita round shot for ranking followed by 12 arrow knockout match plays.
A field of 100 competitors, which included a team of four men and four women from England as well as a strong contingent from New Zealand, entered the event with 49 in the open men’s compound division.
In perfect conditions only five points separated the top six archers at the end of day one with Dennis fourth.
The second day was more difficult because of gale force winds and he slipped to seventh position with a final score of 1363.
In the third round match play Dennis was forced in to a shoot off situation when scores were equal after 12 arrows.
After two shoot offs the arrow closest to the centre wins and it was in this 3rd shoot off that Dennis was knocked out placing him ninth overall.
The Australian team, of which Dennis was a member, was successful defeating England in the Gold medal match.
Dennis and Jeffrey Carson travelled to Campbelltown to contest the state field championships last weekend.
In perfect conditions both were pleased with their results.
After day one Dennis had a three-point lead from Brian Politis with a score of 394 out of a possible 432.
Previously a field score was out of 360 but in an attempt to make field shooting more challenging, scoring was changed to include an inner-six scoring zone.
Previously a three-point lead in a field round would be hard to beat but with this new scoring it has opened the field right up making it a lot more interesting and just one mistake can change everything.
Day two saw Dennis go out with the goal to attain a score of 400.
Unfortunately, that one mistake prevented him from achieving his goal but he still won the championship with a score on day two of 399.
Longtime opponent Politis finished five points behind shooting 397 in the second round.
Jeff Carson shot rounds of 372 on both days giving him a credible fifth-placed finish.
Locally, David Howe, Brendan Howe and Margaret Carson shot a Canberra round with scores of 832, 705 and 692 respectively.
Jessica Morley shot her first 20m round and beginner Nick Taber also performed well.
Shooting will be held again this Sunday and anyone who is interested in learning more about archery and the Armidale club should direct inquiries to Dennis or Margaret Carson on 6772-1029.
Email a friend