Knockbusters finish out the season strong at State
By Ginna Young
The season came to an end for the Cornell Knockbusters Archery team March 26, after the shooters competed at Wausau, for the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament.
“We had several archers achieve their personal best scores, to finish off the season strong,” said coach John Kilde.
During the State tournament, Cornell’s middle school team almost qualified for Nationals, missing by only 73 points, with a score of 2,926.
Meanwhile, on the high school side, the Knockbusters saw three seniors rank high.
Brendan Mercer ended the season with an average score of 263, a high score of 281 and was ranked 83rd in the state. At State, Mercer shot a 256, finishing in eighth place out of the 12th grade level.
Elijah Turany ended his season with an average of 249 and his max score 263, while ranking 159th in the state, shooting a 245 at Wausau, with a 10th place finish at the senior level. Arianna Harshman ended her season with a 204 average, a max score of 259 and was ranked 251st in the state, coming up with 254 at State, placing sixth at the 12th grade level.
Sophomore Faith Kubista carried off honors at State, shooting for a score of 276, coming in seventh, while sophomore Carter Harycki shot a 270, ending in seventh place. Sophomore Allie Turany was right behind, with 266, for 10th place.
Freshman Izabelle Schwingle came next, with 263, for 11th. Sophomore Grace Harycki and junior Khloe Kilde each ended with a score of 260, with G. Harycki placing 11th and K. Kilde 15th.
For the high school, the season’s highest ranking archers were Harycki, with an average of 275, a max score of 280 and ranking 31st in the state. Kubista scored an average of 273, had a max xcore 282 and a state ranking of 33rd.
On the middle school level, Ara Ferguson saw an average of 258, with a max score of 270 and ranking 33rd in the state. Anthony Schofield averaged 273, max 279, state rank 8.
J. Kilde said the Knockbusters did a great job, and is grateful to all the parents and coaches for their investment into the archers.
“We had a fantastic 2021-22 season, with a lot of new archers join,” said Kilde. “These kids worked very hard and their improvement throughout the season shows it. We saw a great team form, with a lot of future potential.”
