Listen for the signal whistles . . .

February 15 and February 16 the archery team traveled to Portersville to compete for the second time this year.

The team of 37 archers this year includes new middle schoolers along with the returning high school archers sophomore Conner Stewart, freshman Mason McCarty-Cogis, and 15 others.

When does the archery team practice? Believe it or not JROTC aren’t the only early birds. The team shows up at the school as early as 6 a.m. Monday through Friday, which then leads to competitions on the weekends.

“We are slowly progressing. As the new members practice they are getting better. Practice makes perfect,” said Beaver Area’s archery coach Mr. Russ Sabo.

“Since we have so many new members our scores are fluctuating from 250-280, the highest score being 300 points, but we are gradually improving with due time,” said Stewart.

February 8 and 9 they competed at New Brighton and came out with the score of 3,176 points—the score not being their best, but not their worst either. Their fourth tournament for the school year, the archery team came out of Portersville with a score of 3,167 points, which unfortunately is one of their worst scores.

Despite overall team performance, McCarty-Cogis said, “I have been doing really well these previous tournaments. I look forward to improving not only my skills, but the skills of my teammates.”

Mr. Sabo also is looking forward to the improvement of new members in the upcoming tournaments.

“I would love to make it to states, and from where we stand now that is a possibility,” explained Mr. Sabo.

The state tournament will be held at Penn State, University Park next month.

In previous seasons the archery team has successfully made it to states, but this year with all the new members that particular bullseye may be harder to hit.