"This group of young archers is the best I've ever coached. I look for this to be one of our better years," said Pennsylvania College of Technology archery coach Chad Karstetter after learning that the Wildcats dominatedlast month'sPennsylvania State Indoor Championships by producing three individual champs and winning two team titles.
Karen Morse of Canton, in leading the team to a state title in the female compound division, finished first and set a new state record by scoring 562 points during the Jan. 29 competition in Taylor.
"Anytime that you can take a record of any kind, anywhere, that is major; it's great!" Karstetter said. "She shot great. She seems to have matured a little bit (since last year). She put it together," the coach added.
Beth Robinson of Williamsport placed second in female compound and Michelle Wright of Kendall, N.Y., was third, helping the Wildcats to a team total of 1,673 points. Penn State was second with 977 points.
Karstetter thinks that all three will continue to get better.
"Being that they're within a point or two apart, they push each other to keep improving and improving. Each one of them wants to be on top and it pushes them to be a little bit better, to try a little bit harder in practice and keep focused," he said.
Also for the Penn College women, Sarah Wilson of Tyrone finished first in female recurve.
Leading the Wildcats male compound team to a state title was Ryan Benny (Burnham), who placed first individually. Right behind were teammates Ryan Romberger (Pillow) and Jonas Glick (Lewistown) in second and third, respectively.
"Ryan Benny definitely has improved since last year. Last year he was nipping at the heels of Ryan Romberger, now it's the other way around. I look for Ryan and Ryan to stay neck-and-neck throughout the rest of the year," said Karstetter.
Teamwise, the Penn College men scored 1,720 points, while Stevens Trade School was second with 1,665 and Penn State third with 1,660.
"They did excellent as a team. Anytime you can get three guys together who all come out with at least a 570, it's pretty tough to compete against," Karstetter said.
Also for Penn College, Jason Kornbau of Red Lion placed third in the male recurve division.