The Ottumwa Bulldogs Archery team is celebrating their unconventional and successful season. The Bulldog archers competed in a shortened six-tournament season with a variety of formats and added precautions. Over 60 students in grades 4-12 from across the district participated. Athletes at all levels showed tremendous growth throughout the season, ensuring the continuation of a strong archery program in Ottumwa.
At the January 9 Cardinal Invite, the OHS team earned second-place in block with top rankings going to:
- Jeffery Shauman-1st
- Aaron Reyman-2nd
- Hunter Seals-1st.
In 3D, the OHS team earned first-place with Shauman also placing first. At this tournament, the Evans Middle School team brought home a second-place finish in block and third-place in 3D with Alondra Huisinga placing second in block. In the elementary division, Kelsie Swallow placed second for her block performance.
Ottumwa participated in a Virtual Block Tournament on January 17th that was hosted by Washington Archery. Schools across Iowa participated in this competitive tournament in which Seals and Shauman both earned first-place rankings.
At the Iowa Winter Games, hosted by Ottumwa on January 23, the OHS team finished first in block with individual medals going to:
- Shauman-1st
- Braylen Benedict-2nd
- Aaron Reyman-3rd
- Hunter Seals-3rd
OHS also took first-place in 3D with medals going to:
- Shauman-1st
- Tristen Ebelheiser-2nd
- Reyman-3rd
- Sophia Fuller-3rd
Evans Middle School finished first in block with medalists Huisinga-1st and Kiley Bankson-3rd. Additionally, Evans placed second in 3D with Huisinga earning another first-place medal. At the elementary level, Simon Marble took home first-place in block with Swallow placing second in block and third in 3D.
The Ottumwa Tournament on February 2 saw OHS take home first-place team medals for block and 3D. Individual block medals went to:
- Annie Barrios-1st
- Seals-2nd
- Ebelheiser-2nd.
3D medalists were Seals-1st, Benedict-2nd, and Ebelheiser-2nd.
The Evans Middle School team placed first in block and second in 3D. Block medalists included Huisinga-1st, Bankson-2nd, Fernando Guerrero-Chapula-2nd, and Mason Winchell-3rd. Huisinga also earned third-place in 3D.
At Cardinal’s Mike Davis Memorial Tournament on February 13, OHS took home a second-place team medal in block, the Evans team took home third in both block and 3D, and Liberty took home third in 3D. Individual medalists included Huisinga-1st and Swallow-2nd for their 3D performances.
In the last regular-season tournament, South Tama hosted Ottumwa for a dual on February 20. Ottumwa finished strong, earning many high placements and personal bests for many archers. OHS outscored South Tama in both block and 3D with Evans earning second-place for block and first-place for 3D. Liberty earned second for 3D. Leading scorers for OHS on block included: Morgan Saner-1st, Seals-3rd, and Ebelheiser-3rd. With OHS sweeping up the top three rankings in 3D Micheal Wailes-1st, Mackenzie Fischer-1st, Ebelheiser-2nd, Fuller-2nd, Daltin Maas-3rd, and Seals-3rd.
Top scorers for Evans Middle School in block were Huisinga-1st, Sully Person-2nd, and Bankson-3rd. Top spots for Middle school 3D were earned by Huisinga-1st, Bankson-2nd, and Guerrero-Chapula-2nd. Top recognition in the elementary division went to Swallow for second-place in block, Marcus Turrado for second-place in 3D, and Manuel Ramierez for second-place in block and third-place in 3D.
Ottumwa Schools had a strong showing at each tournament. Beyond the medalists, there were numerous top-ten finishers at each tournament. The team showed great determination, focus, and flexibility throughout this unprecedented season.
The archery season will wrap up with the virtual Iowa Open Tournament and Iowa State Tournament for those who qualify on March 7.
