Libby archer headed for world championship
by Brent Shrum, Kootenai Valley Record
August 13, 2009
Wendy LaCoss never shot a bow until two years ago, but she’s making up for lost time.
LaCoss has become an active competition shooter, taking parts in tournaments around the Northwest and as far away as Redding, Calif., and Nashville, Tenn., and this week she’s headed for the International Bowhunting Organization’s World Championship in Ellicottville, N.Y.
LaCoss’ boyfriend, Eric Drake, who owns Backcountry Archery Proshop at 208 W. Spruce St. in Libby, gave her her first bow for her birthday two years ago.
"I think I got into it because he was into it and it was something we could do together," she said.
In addition to competition, LaCoss has started hunting with her bow and last year used it to take a whitetail doe. She said hunting helps her in unknown yardage shoots, where the shooter must determine the range to the target.
While unknown yardage is her strength, LaCoss performed quite well at a known yardage shoot at Redding, Calif., this spring. The shoot is the second largest in the United States, she said, and she finished 18th out of more than 150 women in her class.
LaCoss is expecting similar competition at the IBO shoot Aug. 13-15 in New York. The shoot there will be unknown yardage, which is to her advantage, but it will also be on hilly terrain, which will make it harder.
"The up and down hill is my weakness," she said.
LaCoss said she will consider it a good day if she can finish in the top 20.
LaCoss shoots a PSE X-Force short draw bow in the open class, which means she can use a scope and a release aid. She’s sponsored in her shooting by Drake Construction, Backcountry Archery Proshop, Burger Express and Ashley Furniture along with Grim Reaper Broadheads, Proline Bowstrings, Carter Enterprises and Mossy Oak Pro Staff.
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Editor’s Note: See the August 11, 2009 edition of the Kootenai Valley Record for the printed version of this story. The Kootenai Valley Record publishes once a week, on Tuesdays, in Libby, Montana. They are a locally owned community newspaper, located at 403 Mineral Avenue in Libby. For in-county and out-of-county subscription information, call 406-293-2424, or e-mail kvrecord@gmail.com.
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