Archers converge on Lenoir Co.

More than 100 bowmen — and bow-women — trooped through the woods near the Georgia K. Battle Center in Kinston on Saturday as they sought out targets for the Lenoir County Archers’ third competition this year.

Craig Harper, president of Lenoir County Archers, said Saturday’s event, called the 3-D Archery Tournament, drew 110 archers from throughout the state between the ages of 2 and 65.

The nonprofit group has held four competitions since last year, including Saturday’s. Attendance was lower than previous two tournaments this year, but Harper attributed that to the fact that it fell during Mother’s Day weekend.

“We’re trying to build it up,” he said of participation. “We just started last year and we want to get as many folks involved as possible.”

The archers were placed in 13 classes and followed about 20 trails through the woods shooting at either circular targets or three-dimensional targets resembling animals such as hogs, deer, bears, turkeys, raccoons and others.

The group included 17 women and 34 child and youth competitors.

Matthew Bland, 16, of Dover, is on the archery team at West Craven High School and also hunts with a bow and arrow.

Bland said he has participated in all four Lenoir County Archers’ tournaments — and many other tournaments — for one main reason.

“Trophies,” he said, smiling as he held his Matthews Outback compound bow.

“It’s something I enjoy, to shoot,” he added.

Amie Hamil of Lenoir County had not participated in archery before her husband Carey convinced her to come to the 3-D Archery Tournaments.

She was out Saturday with her husband and 8-year-old son Rian, who she said has been into archery for the last year and a half.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s something to do during the weekend instead of sitting at home.”

 David Anderson can be reached at 252-559-1077 or danderson@freedomenc.com.

Lenoir County Archers Scores

13 Classes

Pee Wee (2-8yrs old)

1 - Avery Harper – 230

2 – Logan Dixon – 216

3 – Rian Hamil – 202

Cub (9-11yrs old)

1-Landon Hill-200

2-Coye Matthews-196

3-Will Heath-195

Youth (12-14yrs old)

1-Garrett Harper-202

2-Dalton Jenkins-176

3-Brantley Smith-153

Young Adult (15-17yrs old)

1-Matthew Bland-176

2-Bradley Jones-155

3-Travis Eubanks-116

Ladies Bowhunter

1-Katie McGlamery-210

2-Amy Thomas-202

3-Amanda Magera-196

Ladies Open

1-Sherry Whaley-165

2-Shelly Parrish-146

Traditional

1-Joe McMillan-173

2-John Dill-170

3-Luke McMillan-104

Seniors (50+ yrs)

1-Billy Angel-208

2-Leon Jones-181

3-Buzz Harrell-147

Men’s Open

1-Alan Coderre-191

2-Rusty Whaley-180

Outlaw

1-Jimmy Ingram-191

2-Chris Magera-174

3-Randy Bieber-167

Bowhunter Novice

1-Glenn Howard-191

2-Derrik Carter-185

3-Brad Easley-179

Bowhunter

1-Justin Sasser-214

2-James McGlamery-200

3-Ben Thompson-196

Incentive

1-Patrick Wood-200