Archery has always reflected a bit of artistry for me. The image of a curved bow and its symmetrically bent string bisected by a perfectly straight arrow produces simple but compelling lines. The combination of man and machine working in unison to achieve success matches Michelangelo.
Then as I walked behind a couple of dozen student-archers completing a practice round at the Hillsboro Open on Feb. 1, I heard the music as well. The thwack of arrows dimpling their targets never really sounded rhythmic, but the notes were consistent and they reported with a slight echo in the Gene Steighorst Gymnasium at Hillsboro High.
The school spirit jerseys of teammates and competitors were lined up, back to back, side by side, and face to face, as shooters launched colorful arrows into the bright white blocks with their black, blue, red and yellow bull’s-eyes.
All of that was impressive, but the prettiest picture of the day may have been how well the operation was coordinated. The scores by some of the top shooters stood out from the crowd, and with more than 20 teams and almost 250 archers there were certainly some crowded spaces.
Hillsboro senior Donald Holupka had the best overall score with 296 out of 300, which means 26 of his 30 arrows hit the aforementioned bull’s-eye, and his four “misses” scored in the nine-point ring. The best overall score for the girls was a 294 by Hillsboro junior Payton Gronborg with 24 tens out of 30.
The host Hawks were heavy on the hardware at the Hillsboro Open. In addition to the two top overall scores, they also had the second-, third- and fourth-best high school scores in both the boys and girls divisions. The best boys and girls scores in the middle school division also went to Hillsboro archers, Scott Hartenberger and Sabrina Painter.
In addition to event trophies, the scores from weekend tournaments help players qualify for the upcoming state tournament in Branson beginning March 21.
“The state-bound junior high and high school teams are both determined based on average scores from the most recent four competitions,” said Dan Gronborg, tournament organizer and head coach for the Hillsboro team. “I am only allowed 24 on the competition team, but the remaining archers may still have the option to compete in the 3D tournament at state.”
The action inside the gym was buzzing as shifts of archers took their turns from 10 and 15 meters, but the atmosphere was even busier in the cafeteria staging area, concession stands and hallways in between.
“You can’t put on an event like this without an outpouring of support from your parents,” Gronborg said. “My parents host a bake sale, sell raffle tickets for different items, help with registration, help in the concession stand – along with my wife, who is always in the concession stand – and help as line judges. One of my parents, Stephen Holupka, is also my assistant coach and is invaluable to me. Without all of them, the event would not happen.”
Three of his Hillsboro High archers, Peyton Willeford, Mackenzie Churchill and Donald Holupka, help coach the junior high team and provided assistance during the tournament, he said.
“I thoroughly enjoy hosting tournaments because they are good money makers. My kids get to compete at home, and I enjoy giving out the awards, but I cannot do it alone,” Gronborg said. “I am blessed at Hillsboro with parents, kids, and administrators who believe in the program and are willing to do the extra work necessary to make it successful.”
The National Archery in the Schools Program state tournament is scheduled March 19-21 at the Branson Convention Center. Gronborg said his team members are faithful about their practice times and they go above and beyond to continually improve their skills.
“At the end of the day, after the state and national tournaments, if we put in enough time and effort and had fun doing it, I'm sure we will be pleased with the outcome,” he said.
John J. Winkelman is community engagement manager at Mercy Hospital Jefferson. If you have news for the Leader’s Outdoor News page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com and you can follow John on Twitter at @johnjwink99.