Female archers using Doreen Wilber’s bow
Phil Siglin and Don Orris have taught archery in the Jefferson park and recreation department’s program for more than two decades, but this summer is the first time they’ve had five members of the same family enjoying the archery program together.
Jax and Jayden Carstenson have participated several years and have won medals at the Iowa Games. This year they’re joined by younger brothers Eli, Brady and Maddox.
According to Orris, there have been many family duos that have shown great skill, but this is the first time five brothers have learned target archery together.
“There are very few things I get more pleasure from than seeing the smiling faces on kids after breaking their first balloon on the target, and then go on to advance n skill to shooting distances of 30-, 40-, 50-, and 60-yard targets,” Orris said.
Other youngsters in the program with Iowa Games experience are Wyatt French and Kristin Wailes.
Wailes joins a long line of recent female medal winners Nicole Rohner, Cheyenne Anderson, Victoria Peterson and Hanna Peterson.
Peterson used the same bow Olympic gold medalist Doreen Wilber used in two national times. Wailes will use in the upcoming Iowa games.
“Both Kristin and Hannah recognized the honor it was to shoot Doreen’s bow and with Skeeter Wilber’s permission Phil and I knew it would have pleased Doreen to see it happen,” Orris said.
“It is a real pleasure to coach these kids, they have a great time shooting , plus they are developing many skills, focus, strength, endurance, toughness and positive self-esteem,” he added.
