Dick and Vicky Koehler pose with their plaque given in honor of many years of service and dedication to the program. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

The South Tama Archery Club gathered on Friday, March 22 to celebrate the 2023-2024 season. Team members of the high school, middle school and elementary rosters were present with their families and coaches. After a catered meal by Spanky’s was finished, awards and honors were distributed.

After founding the club 13 years ago, Dick Koehler, along with his wife Vicky, were invited to attend the banquet and were presented with a plaque. Coach Ludy Ortiz spoke of the coaching staff being inspired at an early season tournament which was named after a fellow archery coach who founded a program.

This inspiration led to the announcement that from now on, the first STC Archery Club tournament of the season will be known as the Dick Koehler Tournament in honor of the his contribution to the club.

Continuing on, archers were presented with certificates for their achievements ranging from Bullseye, 3D, and both disciplines. Ortiz spoke individually about each of the participants and their season highlights and achievements. Growth was a theme throughout the whole team.

Three archers qualified for the NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) National Tournament. Timm Chandonia, Ava Boldt, and Connor Bradley will make their respective returns to the tournament after all qualifying last year. Boldt and Chandonia are traveling to Utah to compete in the Western Nationals, while Bradley is going to Louisville to compete in the Eastern Nationals.

All STC Archery Club members in attendance pose for a photograph. PHOTO BY JAMES BRANT

Boldt and Chandonia will compete on April 26-27 and Bradley will compete from May 9-11. Jack Keenan was also recognized as the only senior on the team. He was presented with a T-shirt and blanket honoring his commitment to the team.

After the banquet, Ortiz gave thanks to the USDA in Toledo, who stepped up in mid-November to host practices.

“They stepped up and helped us out when we needed it the most. We’d like to thank them a lot for what they’ve done for us,” Ortiz said.

The Club would like to extend a hand to potential archers and their families and urge them to join saying “Archery is for everyone no matter what, all are welcome.”

The Archery Team would like to recognize the many coaches who volunteer their time and make the club a possibility. Ludy Ortiz pointed out that the many coaches keep the workload lighter for everyone involved, with no one being overworked: Jason and Andrea Boldt, Ludy Ortiz, Brad Weitzell, Jeff and Michelle Schroeder, Mike and Charity Ford, Raina Genaw, Sandra Chandonia, Landon Fiesel, Bret Ealy, Corey Thiessen and Bryan Wacha.

Coach Ludy Ortiz presents Connor Bradley certificates after a great season. PHOTO BY JAMES BRANT

Families eagerly waited to get a bite of food before the banquet commenced. PHOTO BY JAMES BRANT