By George Starks |
GREENVILLE- Tri-Village has always been and will always be a basketball school. Football has made its emergence there and has become huge as Patriot football has become a power in Ohio.
Now, archery is gaining momentum despite it not being a OHSAA sanctioned sport.
Now having archery for eight years, the Patriots went to Nationals a year ago and made a name for themselves in Louisville as then, sophomore Katelynn Lewis, led the charge in her first year in the sport.
So why was Lewis heads and shoulders above the rest?
“She listened to us and did what she was told. She took our instruction well,” said Patriots coach John Siegrist. “Many kids come in here and act like they know everything. Katelynn didn’t do that. She was hungry to learn and that made a big difference in her having a successful first season.She was one of our top shooters last year. She’s got a new bow and we’re trying to get it dialed in. We are very proud of her.”
A year ago, the Patriots not only went to state but placed first in the competition.
Tri-Village won the right to eventually go to Louisville to compete in the Nationals where they finished 65th overall.
“Last year was our best season, winning a state title at the high school level,” said Siegrist. “We had a few individuals at the lower levels that were individual place winners. We graduated 12 seniors last year but we had several eighth graders that came in and filled in well. I’m so proud of these kids. They are the future of Tri-Village archery.”
That was a year ago and now the 2024 team is looking to make its mark in Tri-Village archery.
“The high school team is right on track,” Siegrist stated. “We expect them to do well at state. We’re looking for big things from this team. Some of our team scores are slightly higher than they were last year.
This year a new name has risen to the top.
Saturday this shooter proved her worth in a competitionat the Darke County fairgrounds.
“Lana Moore is making a mark this year,” Siegrist quipped. “Tonight she had two perfect scores so she has done quite well today. I totally expect this team to make another run at Nationals.”
Tri-Village is the only school in the county to have archery. Even though Siegrist has the blessing of the school board, the Patriots has a practice facility at Cedar Grove Church of the Brethern and all funds come in from private donations.
Siegrist said if anyone would like to donate to the team to go to the Facebook page and his contact information is there.
CNO Photo by George Starks. Tri-Village junior Katelynn Lewis takes aim during competition Saturday.