The Pennsylvania College of Technology coed archery team is scheduled to open its season on Saturday in the Easton Collegiate Trophy Tournament at Manheim.
Last season: Two archers captured gold at the Indoor Nationals; the men’s compound and fixed pins teams won gold at the East Region Outdoor Championships, with three individuals earning All-East honors; and Casey Keiter became the college’s 44th All-American as a result of his top 10 finishes at the indoor and outdoor nationals.
Coach: Dustin Bartron, sixth season.
Key returnees (with disciplines/last season highlights): Sophomore Keiter, of Dornsife (national indoor fixed pins champ, all-East Region team, All-American); sophomore Josiah Hinojos, of Groton, Connecticut (all-East Region team); sophomore Anthony Olenchak, of Valhalla, New Jersey, in men’s fixed pins. Senior Colby Dell, of Great Neck, New York; senior Emery Gunsallus, of Mill Hall; sophomore Eli Bartron, of South Williamsport, in men’s compound. Sophomore Liz Gruodis, of Milford, in women’s barebow.
Key losses: Matthew Byrnes, Brady Buriak.
Key newcomers (with disciplines): Freshmen Cannon Youndt, of Denver; Salvador Elam, of Glenmore; Tayton Roys, of Port Allegany, in men’s fixed pins. Roman Moss, of Stillwater, in men’s barebow. Cooper Goldring, of Boca Raton, Florida, in the men’s Olympic recurve.
Outlook (individual and team): “I look for Keiter and Hinojos to both be contenders for All-American (honors) and fixed pins national championship,” coach Dustin Barton said. “These two will provide a strong foundation for the men’s fixed pin team, with the third position still up for grabs.
“I look for Youndt and Eli Bartron to have a strong season and be in contention for All-American (honors) and the national championship this season. These two, along with any of the above-mentioned men’s compound archers, will be tough in team rounds.
“We have a lot of new talent and potential this year. Youndt, Elam and Moss come in with a lot of experience and are not strangers to the podium. Goldring comes in very well-coached, disciplined and eager to compete. He brings a lot of skills that are valuable to the team.”
Upcoming events:
Saturday, Jan. 24 – Easton Collegiate Trophy Tournament at Manheim
Feb. 14-15 – USA Archery National Indoor Championship at Lancaster
April 11-12 – USA Archery East Region Outdoor Collegiate Championship/Adam Wheatcroft Memorial at Harrisonburg, Va.
May 14-17 – USA Archery Collegiate Target Nationals at East Lansing, Mich.
For additional information about Wildcat Athletics, visit pctwildcats.com. For more about the United East Conference, visit gounitedeast.com .