Archery team earns national titles

Three members of the Liberty University archery team won national titles at the U.S. Collegiate Archery Association’s 3-D Archery National Championships Oct. 21-23 at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio.

Liberty’s national champions are Alex Blake, Compound Male Division; Joshua McKinney, Bow Hunter Men’s Division; and Danielle Thompson, Bow Hunter Women’s Division. Team members Marissa Scalzo (Compound Women) and Alex Agnoletto (Bow Hunter Men) placed in the top 12 of their respective divisions.

The competition included teams from Michigan State, University of Texas, Penn College, Hocking College, University of Missouri, Wayne State, University of Wisconsin and Miami of Ohio.

“The devotion the students put into their practice and performance is much to be proud of. The students represent the University in a way that gives us all great gratitude,” said head coach Brandon Reyes, a professional archer and a 2004 International Bowhunting Organization World Champion. Reyes has competed in numerous state, national and international tournaments for more than 15 years.

The archery team was started in the fall of 2008 and is part of Liberty’s Club Sports program, which includes 17 men’s and 12 women’s teams. Members practice on Liberty’s 10-acre 3D target range, more than 700 acres of hunting land, and an indoor shooting range.