LEROY — LeRoy’s Shannon Hamilton closed out her school archery career in style.
The daughter of Glenda and Howard won the Horizon Central Athletic Association senior girls championship. She shot 254 to top her nearest competitor by nine points.
“I’m pretty competitive so I practiced a lot,” Hamilton said of her accomplishment.
She was part of a successful LeRoy School squad at districts. Coach Alicia Richels said, “we were super thankful that we were able to hold a District shoot and that HCAA allowed us t shoot virtually this year.” Cohen Holowachuk shot 255 to finish tied for third in the senior boys category.
“Cohen is just one of those students who has the natural talent of an archer,” Richels said. “We just had a memory pop up on Facebook of a very young Cohen with a grouping of arrows all in the bullseye.”
Fellow LeRoy School student Paul Alarilla was fourth in junior boys at districts. He shot 221.
“Paul has improved significantly since the start of the year and had a great showing at the district level,” Richels said.
The coach was pleased to see Hamilton’s success in her final district event.
“Shannon has been in archery since the start of it in LeRoy, and she has always been very consistent with her scores, but it is great to see her finish off her NASP years with the district gold medal,” Richels said.
Hamilton got started in archery with LeRoy School when the National Archery in Schools Program came in 2016. Since she joined, not counting seasons affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hamilton has placed in the top 10 at districts.
“I like that it’s a quiet sport and very methodical,” she said of archery.
Hamilton appreciates all that Richels has done for her during her time in the sport.
“Alicia Richels, our coach, has been a great mentor to me since the beginning,” she said. “She’s actually the one who brought NASP to our school and continues to coach all the age group.”
Hamilton’s mother is a bow hunter. When NASP came to LeRoy, Glenda Hamilton encouraged both Shannon and her older daughter Emily to participate. At that time, she also became certified to help out Richels if needed. It is just one example of how she has backed her offspring in activities of interest.
“My mom has always been very supportive of my participation in school sports and has driven me all over Saskatchewan for tournaments, games or competitions,” Shannon Hamilton said.
District Results
Bantam girls: 1. Quin Carter, Englefeld, 246; 2. Julianna Beer, Raymore, 238; 3. Hayley Johnston, Watrous Elementary, 229
Bantam boys: 1. Rowan Hillis, Raymore, 274; 2. Jacky Situ, Ituna, 226; 3. Evan Morelli, Watrous High, 224
Junior girls: 1. Riley Wyssen, Ituna, 252; 2. Veronika Boiko, Ituna, 251; 3. Cassandra Fehr, Englefeld, 211
Junior boys: 1. Logan Stockbrugger, Englefeld, 258; 2. Milo Hillis, Raymore, 253; 3. Carson Carruthers, Ituna, 234
Senior girls: 1. Shannon Hamilton, LeRoy, 254; 2. Mackenzie Mackimmie, Watson, 245; 3. Alyssa Macomber, Raymore, 242
Senior boys: 1. Carl Bothma, Watrous High, 274; 2. Ethan Kirzinger, Englefeld, 262; 3. Kayden McKnight, Watson, 255
