December 24, 2025
Local NewsState & National

United, focused Wolverine archers building a strong start to the season

Have two meets during Christmas break

By Caleb Nelson
Members of the Nodaway Valley archery team are from left in front, Remi Huddleson, Hunter Whitney, Hallee Wright, Natalie Wildin, EllieAnna Miller-Hysell, Max Heckathorn, Adely Hughes, Sara Rothe and Justin Conner; second row: Harper Wright, Tyson Hauf, Bailey Breheny, Lilly Hauf, Marcella Hubenka, Mya Larson, Myles Fischer, Avery Goetz, Amber Campbell, Kelly Campbell, Abygail Scovel, Nikolai Hubenka, Ashby Melton and Bailey Montgomery; third row: Riley Wildin, Tucker Bigelow, Miles Struggles, Bridget Zoubek, Allie Zoubek, Axel Miller, Ryder Noland, Cash Martin, Amelia Freeland, Emery Thompson, Hayden Thompson, Chase Bauer, Levi Scovel, Kameron Erickson, Robby Goetz and Grady Gettler; back row: Taryn Gutierrez, Everett Ehler, Beau Antisdel, Corbin Hubenka, Oliver Freeland, Brysen Shinn, Myka Hanscom, Briley Bates, Bentley Miller, Caleb Heinz, Nora Newbury, Collin Akers, Kaleb Erickson, Kenzie Hall, Ellie Stolk-Freese, Brailee Shinn, Lincoln Van Horn, Fynn Thompson and Lakota Whitney.

Members of the Nodaway Valley archery team are from left in front, Remi Huddleson, Hunter Whitney, Hallee Wright, Natalie Wildin, EllieAnna Miller-Hysell, Max Heckathorn, Adely Hughes, Sara Rothe and Justin Conner; second row: Harper Wright, Tyson Hauf, Bailey Breheny, Lilly Hauf, Marcella Hubenka, Mya Larson, Myles Fischer, Avery Goetz, Amber Campbell, Kelly Campbell, Abygail Scovel, Nikolai Hubenka, Ashby Melton and Bailey Montgomery; third row: Riley Wildin, Tucker Bigelow, Miles Struggles, Bridget Zoubek, Allie Zoubek, Axel Miller, Ryder Noland, Cash Martin, Amelia Freeland, Emery Thompson, Hayden Thompson, Chase Bauer, Levi Scovel, Kameron Erickson, Robby Goetz and Grady Gettler; back row: Taryn Gutierrez, Everett Ehler, Beau Antisdel, Corbin Hubenka, Oliver Freeland, Brysen Shinn, Myka Hanscom, Briley Bates, Bentley Miller, Caleb Heinz, Nora Newbury, Collin Akers, Kaleb Erickson, Kenzie Hall, Ellie Stolk-Freese, Brailee Shinn, Lincoln Van Horn, Fynn Thompson and Lakota Whitney. (Caleb Nelson)

Orient-Macksburg’s archers have joined with Nodaway Valley’s this season, resulting in a combined team of more than 75 archers and over 10 coaches.

The team has one meet under its belt after the second meet of the season, scheduled for Atlantic, was canceled because of inclement weather.

Head coach Bill Newbury said whether archers are young and new to the sport or veterans who have been on the team for years, the program emphasizes the same fundamentals early in the season.

“As far as getting the kids into shape mentally, what that boils down to is muscle memory and stance,” Newbury said. “It’s getting the kids to understand that everything has to be done consistently the same way every time.”

By grouping arrows in sets of five and aiming to place them within a pie-plate-sized area, coaches help archers better identify and refine their aim point. Even the slightest deviation in arm position or release can affect a shot, Newbury said.

“It’s nice having Orient’s coaches there helping us now, too, so there are a few more coaches available to help,” Newbury said.

In addition, seniors Briley Bates, Harlea Hanscom, Maddyson Rubio and Lakota Whitney, along with other high school archers, have done a strong job of observing and assisting younger teammates during practices this season.

“I think the younger kids honestly work better with kids than adults, simply because it’s more of a peer situation,” Newbury said. “When kids are helping each other, they see what each other is doing and build off that. It has helped quite a bit. I’m proud of our high school kids for doing that this year.”

The team shoots Saturday, Dec. 27, at Central Decatur and will compete Monday, Dec. 29, at Diagonal in a popular meet that draws many archers during Christmas break.

The Wolverines have experienced considerable success throughout the program’s history, and Newbury hopes at least one 3D or bullseye team from each age level will qualify for state by season’s end. Last year, the high school 3D team advanced to state in the first year the Wolverines had enough archers at that level to qualify.

“As always, I just want to see the kids do the best they can and have fun doing it,” Newbury said.

Caleb Nelson

Caleb Nelson

Caleb Nelson has served as News Editor of the Adair County Free Press and Fontanelle Observer since Oct. 2017. He and his wife Kilee live in Greenfield. In Greenfield and the greater Adair County area, he values the opportunity to tell peoples' stories, enjoys playing guitar, following all levels of sports, and being a part of his local church.