Straight Shooter
SLIPPERY ROCK — Heather Stewart and her father, Tom Kennedy, were packed, booked and ready to go.
The Slippery Rock residents are longtime archers and veteran participants of state and national tournaments. This year's National Field Archery Association (NFAA) Championships were slated for the state of Washington in July.
“We had our plane tickets, house booked ... and it was canceled,” Stewart, 42, said. “COVID-19 has caused a number of archery tournaments to be canceled this year.”
Stewart managed to win a few, regardless. She claimed the Pennsylvania State Field championship in Mechanicsburg in July. She won the Ohio state tournament in Ashland (Ohio) in June.
When it seemed like the nationals were going by the wayside in 2020, the NFAA decided to host a “roundup” of national tourneys in Yankton, S.D., in late September. That's where its national headquarters are located.
Stewart and Kennedy made the trip — and it was worth their while.
“I placed fourth in my (seniors) division,” Kennedy said. “Heather and I have been doing archery tournaments together for years now.
“Her skills surpassed mine a long time ago. I am so proud of her.”
Stewart won the Outdoor National Field Championship one day, the Hunter Day championship the next, then scored 575 out of 588 while shooting at 28 animal targets the third day.
Shooting distances ranged from six to 70 yards.
“It was nice having all of those tournaments in the same place like that,” Kennedy said.
She wound up setting national records during the two-day Outdoor National Target Round. Shooting at small targets from 40, 50 and 60 yards away, Stewart scored 585 out of 600 the first day. The previous national record was 572.
“I didn't even realize I got the record until I got back to the house,” she said. “It was pretty windy during those two days. You'd have to wait for the wind to calm down before you'd shoot.
“I hadn't shot in the wind in a while. It definitely messes with you mentally.”
On the second day of competition, Stewart wound up with a score of 880 out of 900. The national record was 882.
But her combined score for that two-day event set another national mark.
“I was pleased with the way things went, for sure,” Stewart said. “Dealing with the wind, keeping an eye on the clock — you only had so much time to shoot — it all worked out.”
Stewart competed in the adult female freestyle division. And her father may be her biggest fan.
“It was awesome seeing her perform like that,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy and Stewart belong to the Possom Hollow Sportsman's Club in Wampum.
The season isn't over for them yet.
“There's a national indoor shoot, different organization, in December,” Stewart said. “That will be a virtual tournament. The closest place for us to do that one is probably West Virginia.
“I'm sure we'll be there.”
