THE South Australian State Target Archery Championships were recently held in the picturesque Mylor Oval in the Adelaide Hills, with four Blue Lake Archers competing.
A total of 36 divisions were represented on the day, with age divisions ranged from Under 14 to Over 70, along with Compound, Recurve and Longbow categories all represented.
All divisions competed in a four-distance event and shot a total of 144 arrows for the day.
Blustery conditions and occasional rain were a recipe for lower scores and an uncomfortable and frustrating day on the field.
However, in the end a pair of gold medals and a bronze were brought home to the South East.
Ben Kilsby finished a strong fourth in the toughest class, the Open Male Compound.
He faced the daunting task of the maximum range of 90 metres as his initial distance in the dubious conditions.
Kilsby put in an excellent performance to be placed a credible fourth against tough competition.
Tamika Mullan has progressed rapidly in the sport and compet in the Open Female Compound group.
Persistence in the conditions earned her the gold medal, with the title added to her earlier State Field Archery title in her first year of competition in the sport.
Jeffery Puckridge was in the 60-plus group of male Compound archers and his steady performance placed him in the bronze medal position when scoring was completed.
Rounding out the local talent was club president Ian Harris, fresh from his Masters Games victory.
The long drive back to South Australia did not affect Harris, who continued his golden run to claimed first place in the Over 70 Male Compound division.
Additional to the Championship medals, performance medals were also on offer.
Mullan was awarded two All Gold medals for the 60 and 30-metre ranges plus a FITA Star for a score over 1200 points.
Kilsby had All Gold medals for 70, 50 and 30 metres and he also gained a Compound FITA Star 1200 for his score.
Puckridge received an Australian Star 1200 as well as All Gold medals for 50, 40 and 30 metres, while Harris earned an Australian Star 1100.
Coming events: Indoor archery – Blue Lake Gymnastics Club, Malseed Park, Friday 7pm; Outdoor archery – Corriedale Park, Sunday 12.30pm.
RESULTS
State Outdoor target Archery Championships – Open Female Compound: 1st Tamika Mullan (Blue Lake Archers) 1254; Open Male Compound: 1st Brandon Hawes (Cressy Bowmen) 1352, 4th Ben Kilsby (Blue Lake Archers) 1298; 60+ Male Compound: 1st Garry Staples (Cressy Bowmen) 1311, 3rd Jeffrey Puckridge (Blue Lake Archers) 1277; 70+ Male Compound: 1st Ian Harris (Blue Lake Archers) 1186.
