Pennsylvania College of Technology freshman Nathaniel Haefka won the 2018 USA Archery National Outdoor Collegiate Championship in Men's Bowhunter this past weekend in Newberry, Florida. Haefka highlighted a Penn College team that had four All-Americans and four more top-eight finishes.
"Nate has been strong all year and we thought he'd shoot well down here," coach Chad Karstetter said. "We weren't sure how he would handle the rough weather (wind and rain) we had to deal with since he's a freshman, but he stepped up and performed great."
Haefka teamed with Justin Rinehimer and David Fox to take bronze in the Men's Bowhunter team field, while Rinehimer finished sixth individually in that category.
Tim Lamont placed fourth in Men's Compound for Penn College and Rylee Butler finished seventh in Women's Bowhunter.
"The majority of the team was solid, but those individuals were a little bit better than everyone," Karstetter explained. "We're very proud of those achievements."
Haefka, Lamont, Butler and Tyler Schoonover were named to the All-American team (a combination of an archer's performances in indoor and outdoor nationals).
"All-American is what we train for all year. We want to start out well during the indoor season and improve for the outdoor season," Karstetter said. "It's the ultimate accomplishment in our sport."
Haefka, Lamont, Butler, Schoonover, Tanner Huff and Erica Gause earned Academic All-American status, which goes to an archer with a minimum 3.0 GPA that finished in the top 25 percent at the indoor national tournament.
"Nate has been strong all year and we thought he'd shoot well down here," coach Chad Karstetter said. "We weren't sure how he would handle the rough weather (wind and rain) we had to deal with since he's a freshman, but he stepped up and performed great."
Haefka teamed with Justin Rinehimer and David Fox to take bronze in the Men's Bowhunter team field, while Rinehimer finished sixth individually in that category.Tim Lamont placed fourth in Men's Compound for Penn College and Rylee Butler finished seventh in Women's Bowhunter.
"The majority of the team was solid, but those individuals were a little bit better than everyone," Karstetter explained. "We're very proud of those achievements."
Haefka, Lamont, Butler and Tyler Schoonover were named to the All-American team (a combination of an archer's performances in indoor and outdoor nationals)."All-American is what we train for all year. We want to start out well during the indoor season and improve for the outdoor season," Karstetter said. "It's the ultimate accomplishment in our sport."
Haefka, Lamont, Butler, Schoonover, Tanner Huff and Erica Gause earned Academic All-American status, which goes to an archer with a minimum 3.0 GPA that finished in the top 25 percent at the indoor national tournament.