by Paul Davison
Nine shoot perfect at Louisville, but only two advance to the Million Dollar Jackpot
T
he word is out! Louisville is a great place to hold the NFAA Indoor Nationals. Once again, total attendance nearly broke the 1400+ record set in 1993 when the tournament was held at the rather remote Kentucky Exposition Center (the Fairgrounds) adjacent to Louisville’s airport. Now, with two major hotels connected by skyway to the International Convention Center downtown, one hardly needs to venture outside during the entire weekend. Needless to say, we’ll be back here in 2007. “Weekend” is a misnomer. The NFAA controls the Convention Center for a full five days ... or more. Wednesday is set-up day. Thursday is the annual National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Championship. Friday morning the venue is converted from a NASP layout to NFAA Indoor layout, while Friday afternoon is the shooters’ time to register and practice, if they want. Friday evening we hold the second leg of the Marked 3-D Championships. Saturday, the first of two Indoor 300 rounds are shot at three different times, the non-Championship Marked 3-D competition continues, and the Stanislawski Pro-Am team event is shot in the evening. The standalone, Archery United Ultimate 3-D Pop-Up tournament is also shot on Friday and Saturday. The second of two Indoor 300 rounds are shot on Sunday. As each line is completed, all Championship ties are shot-off before the next line starts shooting. Then, each line has its own, non-interfering, awards ceremony. All awards are presented by early Sunday evening. Hopefully by midnight, tear-down is completed, the two WAF 18-wheelers are loaded, and all scores are posted on NFAA’s website. We’re all tired. Of the nearly 1400 registered shooters, there were close to 200 NFAA Pros, 228 in the three Junior age groups, and 214 non-professionals in the two Senior age groups. Registration in the Marked 3-D events totaled 258, and 211 two-person teams shot in the Stanislawski Pro-Am. Similar numbers participated in the Ultimate 3-D Pop-Up, and all Juniors were invited to “Practice with the Pros” Friday afternoon. It was a great mix of experience, proficiency, and games played. It was a very busy “weekend” for the NFAA shooters; and we’re not counting either the many
visits to the Trade Show exhibits, or the over 2100 rounds the NASP kids that shot on Thursday. With thirty 3-D professionals entered in the 20-station Marked 3-D Championship, and with a different group of twenty shooting every four ends, it was difficult for the both the shooters and spectators to tell who was leading at any given time. Last-to-start, but first-to-finish, defending Louisville 3-D Champion Tim Gillingham was the virtual leader with 222 out of a possible 240. First-to-start, but last-to-finish, Michael Braden tied Tim about thirty minutes later. Tim won the resulting shoot-off with the first arrow. No one will ever know whether it was the momentum interruption that cost Michael the title, but 3-D Tournament Chairman Ray Jones was sufficiently apologetic to award the last place finisher $250. 2005 Vegas 3-D Champion Scott Romero captured third place money. For those who follow the 3-D version of the 3-Star Tour, you may remember that Michael Braden shot a perfect 240 at the Kansas City in 2003. The first round of the 2006 NFAA Indoor Championship got underway Saturday at 8:00 am, 11:30 am and 3:00 pm. No less than twenty-three perfect 300-60X’s were shot on Saturday, including one each by Cub, Brandon Hood, and Young Adult, Joe Determan, four by the Adult men, and seventeen by the Pro men. Why so much interest in those shooting perfect? It’s because the National Indoor is the second leg of the World Archery Festival’s 3-Star Tour. It’s also the second step to the Million Dollar Jackpot to the person who shoots a perfect 900 at the Vegas Shoot, a perfect 600 with 120 X’s at the National Indoor, and a perfect 1200 at April’s Stanislawski Open in Pittsburgh. Seven men freestylers were eligible after the Vegas Shoot, but after Saturday’s first round at Louisville, it was reduced to three Pros: Dave Cousins, Jesse Broadwater and Lee Ford. The other twenty “perfects” had neither shot Vegas nor scored 900 at Vegas. Tomorrow is another day. Saturday evening’s highlight was the Stanislawski Pro-Am — this year, taking on the name of the 3-Star Tour’s new title sponsor. The winning team of Nick Jayne and Braden Gellenthien posted a combined
continued on page 12 Archery Magazine June/July 2006 11