Friday, Jun. 13, 2008
Once local named champion in archery
Eric Vasquez 'aims' to advance in adult division
By Samantha Salas / ssalas@losbanosenterprise.com
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ReprintIt started when he was four years old, and now that he's 17, he can't imagine spending his spare time on any other hobby.
Once Los Baños resident, and now Hilmar High School senior Eric Vasquez said his favorite part about being a part of the sport of archery is being able to get away from everything going on around him.
"I just focus on the target," Vasquez said.
Yet, his favorite part is sometimes the most difficult; concentrating and picking a spot on the target, and at times, getting ready for the shoots.
"Sometimes it's frustrating," he said. "Tighting the bow is hard, and, as far as concentrating, you don't always hit the same spot on the target."
With practices multiple times a week, Vasquez said, while it's his favorite after-school activity, his school schedule and family events sometimes conflict his hoped-for daily shooting practice.
"Sometimes I don't get a chance to practice," he said. "But I try to as much as I can."
As for now, Vasquez practices at his Hilmar home or the archery club him and his father, Mario, belong to, Horseshoe Bend Field Archers.
"I hope to continue being a part of the sport as long as I can," he said. "I enjoy it because my Dad and I get to do it together and I like the challenge of getting better at something."
Father and son archery shooters, Eric and Mario attend shoots together, but are often times in different divisions at the competitions.
The adult divisions in archery events range from 18 years old to 65. And at 17, Vasquez said there's only so much more he can do in the 'youth' division after being in it for so long.
"I want to shoot better," he said. "But there's only so much better I can get in 'youth.'
"When I go to adult, it'll be harder," he said.
When he compares his talent to his father's, Vasquez said at the indoor archery competitions, Vasquez is better. But when it comes to outdoor events, "my Dad is better."
There isn't much of a difference between indoor and outdoor archery events, though, Vasquez said, expect for there is more yardage in the outdoor events and more walking.
In a recent competition over Memorial Day weekend, Vasquez took first place in the two-day California State Broadhead Championship tournament. With 42 targets to shoot each day, Vasquez was only allowed one arrow per target, his father said.
As for being the new champion, Vasquez said he is proud of how far he has come in the sport.
"My goals are to just shoot as best as I can," he said. "I have yet to get a second place in a tournament. I want to keep that streak going."
Vasquez has recently become sponsored by Predators Archery in Gilroy, as well as Grim Reaper in Utah.
"Grim Reaper is sponsoring him as one of their pro-staff," Mario Vasquez said. "I think that's great for him."
Enterprise reporter Samantha Salas can be reached at (209)388-6562 or at ssalas@losbanosenterprise.com