Bowhunters club hosts archery event

The Wythe Bowhunters Archery Club hosted the National Field Archery state championships on June 23 & 24. It was the first time the club has ever hosted a state tournament. Archers from Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Delaware participated in the tournament. The club will also host a state tourney next year. The first day of the tournament consisted of a 28-target field round. On the second day, the tourney consisted of shooting at animal targets. The Wythe County club produced several state champions (classed by shooting styles and age) at the tournament. They are: Brad Baker, James Thurman, Jim French, Stacy Pruitt, Joan Hines, Roger Pruitt Sr., Zack Hines, Trevor Williams, Tim Ewers, Roy Sturgill, Hope Wymer and Ronnie Emerson. The Wythe Bowhunters will also host a state tourney next year in addition to hosting an indoor state championship and a Mid-Atlantic regional championship (in which seven states will compete). The dates for the three tournaments has not been finalized as of yet. Wythe Bowhunters regular shoots are open to the public. Shoots for the rest of the year are: July 22 , Aug. 12, Sept. 8-9, and Sept. 16.