RIPLEY, W.Va. — One Jackson County student will have a summer vacation like few others. Sixteen-year-old Levi Staats will attend the World Archery in Schools Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa July 21-29. Staats qualified during the recent National Archery in Schools tournament for the U.S. National Team.
“I need to practice a lot now,” Staats said. “I’ve made it to this and now I’ve just got to get there and do the best I can.”
Staats, a rising junior at Ripley High School, finished 10th in the national tournament. He learned a couple of weeks afterward the top 16 finishers in the national event become the U.S. team for the world championship shoot.
“We didn’t know a thing about it,” said Staats. “They didn’t even let us know until about two weeks after nationals.”
Archery comes natural to Staats and he thrives on competition.
“I don’t know, it just feels natural,” he said. “It’s just something I love and I like to do.”
Staats began shooting when he was old enough to pick up a bow. He started shooting competitions as soon as his age would allow it. He’s been part of the West Virginia Archery in Schools Program since sixth grade. During his years, Staats has amassed an impressive series of finishes. He was West Virginia champion his sixth, seventh, and eighth grade years. During his seventh grade year he was the top shooter at the West Virginia state championship and finished fifth at the national event. During his eighth grade year he was third in the world championships.
Staats success could also be attributed to pressure from within. The Ripley High School Archery team has won the West Virginia championships every year, with the exception of one, since the program was instituted.
“Our coaches have us practice all the time and help us as much as they can,” said Staats as he heaped praise on his teammates and coaching staff. “They take us to a lot of different shoots so we can get a lot of practice in.”
Staats doesn’t have a regimented training program. It’s all about sending arrows down range.
“I try to practice as much as I can, but sometimes I’m just too busy,” he said. “You just try to improve your score every time you shoot. Every time you shoot, try to get your score one point higher.”
Staats learned early the key to success in competition is taking your time and clearing your mind. He admitted it wasn’t easy with dozens of others shooting only feet away from you, but in Staats’ estimation the competition is between himself and the target and not necessarily among the other competitors.
He didn’t know what to expect in the international competition.
“It’s the same shooting and stuff, but we’re going to shoot three different times,” he said. “They haven’t really told us how it will work. I think they’ll tell us when we get over there.”
Aside from shooting, Staats is trying to raise money to pay for his trip and is grateful for any support. He and his team are hosting several upcoming fundraisers to generate some money. Donations can be made at any Premier Bank branch in a fund set up for his travels. You can also contact his mom, Gail Staats, via Facebook about how to help.