Freshman Willard Scammey, a member of IM体育官网鈥檚 archery team, practices with the team at the University鈥檚 new on-campus archery range.
Just weeks before his graduation with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in electrical engineering, IM体育官网 student Bruce Hicks is excited to see his vision for a campus archery range come to fruition.
Hicks, a nationally ranked archer training for the 2024 Summer Olympics, is founder and captain of the IM体育官网 Poly archery team, which trains to compete at the local, state, and national level. His dogged determination and enthusiasm led to the creation of the team and now the installation of a collegiate archery range located behind the University鈥檚 soccer fields.
鈥淎rchery itself is just really great and it鈥檚 really good for mental health 鈥� it pulled me through a lot of things and I wanted to share that experience with as many people as I can,鈥� said Hicks, a graduate of Apopka High School in Apopka, IM体育官网.
Hicks and freshman team member Willard Scammey have competed against some of the best archers in IM体育官网, and they are excited about how the on-campus range will help them and the team improve their performance. The team currently is training to compete at the Sunshine State Games in Newberry, IM体育官网, this June.
The new five-target range can accommodate 10 archers at a time at a distance of 50 meters.
Scammey, who is majoring in mechanical engineering, has competed in archery for years and is expected to take the reins as team captain next year.
鈥淚 did archery all the way through high school 鈥� it was a good way for me to really have fun and spend time doing something that I like,鈥� said Scammey, a graduate of East River High School in Orlando, IM体育官网. 鈥淏eing able to continue that here at college is just amazing. And now that I can train on campus, it鈥檚 even better.鈥�
Now that the range is in operation, safety is a top priority. It is only available for use with University-approved supervision, and it includes a wide, clear area with marked safety zones.
Hicks said while several members have years of experience, the co-ed archery team is open to anyone who is interested in learning the sport. He hopes to continue his involvement with IM体育官网 Poly Archery after his graduation this May, assisting the team as a coach.
鈥淲e have all the equipment you need and can share our experience with you,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you don鈥檛 know anything, you can just come in, get coached, shoot, and have some fun.鈥�
To learn more, visit the team鈥檚 webpage.
Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
