Team News

The four men's archers from Liberty University's archery team competing in this weekend's U.S. Collegiate Target National Championships, hosted by JMU at Dorey Park in Richmond, Va., fire their first rounds today.

"That is the closest nationals we have ever had," Flames Head Coach Ben Summers said. "Last year's were supposed to be in California (before they got canceled by COVID-19) and the year before that, they were in Ohio."

Rising senior Connor Rothermel, sophomores Joel Barkley and Trevor Martin, and graduate Louis Boyd are representing Liberty against the best collegiate archers in the United States.

"The level of competition has gone way up this year and the number of participants has gone way down," Summers said, noting that the Flames will be firing against the best of the best from greater distances than they did during the Oct. 16-17 3D Outdoor National Championships in Alabama or the March 28 state competition for the Indoor Nationals, also hosted by JMU near Harrisonburg, Va.

"We're hoping to finish on a good note to bring a highlight to the season there," said Boyd, who has one more year of eligibility as he is entering his second year of seminary through the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.

"Honestly, (target) nationals is going to be a great time," Rothermel added. "Between us all, we probably can win something and if not, there will be a lot of good lessons learned and a lot of good shots taken."

Video by Hayden Robertson/Club Sports Video & Media Assistant