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Lac La Biche archery event selects Team Canada

Team Canada lead by Lac La Biche coach takes aim at Italy

LAC LA BICHE - After a three-day weekend of trials, competitions and gatherings to select the best archers in the country, Canada's National Archery Team was selected in Lac La Biche County on June 19.  

The team, which is composed of 20 members from across the country will represent Canada this fall in the 2022 World Archery 3D Championships in Terni, Italy, said Rene Schaub, the president of the Lakeland Archers, and the team's official coach. 

The Lakeland Archers hosted the trials competition over the June 19 weekend that saw 40 competitors vying for a spot on the team, he said. The qualifier had competitors taking aim at 24 targets along an outdoor course at the Herb Erickson Archery Range. The competitors shot in one of four shooting categories; traditional bow, long-bow, bare-bow and compound for both men and women, he added. 

“We had two courses set up with 24 target animals each, and every one of them you shot two arrows per animal—one on Saturday and one Sunday morning,” he said, explaining that the course was set up to be similar to the style they will see in Italy during the championships from Sept. 4-10. “We had a format just like Worlds so they could get used to the format for the eliminations.” 

Preparations  

For the experienced coach and judge who has decades of experience behind the bow, getting back to international competitions and connecting with archers worldwide is going to be an exciting journey, he added. With just a few months to go before the World event, Schaub says the qualifying athletes must now continue their training in their home communities with their own coaches. He’ll be speaking with team members over the coming weeks as travel plans are finalized.  

“Archery Canada will arrange —along with me—all the transportation and hotel rooms…We start shooting on Sept. 4. We will probably go two or three days ahead of time to prepare,” he said, adding that he will likely see most of the qualifiers at an upcoming national event prior to the Italy trip. 

Last chance competitions 

Before the World events, the Lac La Biche-based archery veteran will be judging the 3D Outdoor Championships. That event is held in Prince Edward Island in late July. 

Ultimately, the responsibility of leading Team Canada is an honour, but Schaub says all aspects of the team are vital to reach the target. 

“It takes a lot of people and a leader that can help put everybody in the right place, but it ultimately takes a team,” he said. 

The following athletes have been selected:

Women’s Barebow

  • Sabrina Van Der Giessen (Alta.)

Men’s Barebow

  • William Melnik (Ont.)
  • Jovica Djukic (Sask.)
  • Billy Sanderson (B.C.)

Women’s Compound

  • Monica Higgins (Alta.)
  • Andrea Wiens (Sask.)
  • April Willis (Man.)

Men’s Compound

  • Joe Sarrazin (B.C.)
  • Blair St. Amant (Sask.)
  • Leon Laffin (N.S.)

Women’s Longbow

  • Miranda Sparkes (B.C.)

Men’s Longbow

  • Fred Streleoff (B.C.)
  • Jaize Tostyniuk (Alta.)
  • Greg (Bud) Dettling (B.C.)

Women’s Traditional

  • Trudy Dryden (N.B.)
  • Katie Britton (B.C.)

Men’s Traditional

  • Marc Britton (B.C.)
  • Gentian Zoto (Ont.)
  • Brad Hackewich (Man.)

 

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