Georgia Southern Hosts 2023 USA Archery Collegiate Target Nationals

In May 2023, Georgia Southern became the epicenter of collegiate archery as it hosted the USA Archery Collegiate Target Nationals. Organized by USA Archery, the event was a testament to the University’s commitment to promoting sports and fostering talent.

The USA Archery Collegiate Target Nationals, an annual event, drew the nation’s top collegiate archers. Held at the M.C. Anderson Park in Statesboro, Georgia Southern’s Shooting Sports Education Center (SSEC) played a pivotal role in organizing the event. The competition attracted nearly 450 of the top collegiate archers from across the country, all showcasing their skills.

Participants competed across various divisions, including recurve, compound, barebow and fixed pins. The event featured individual qualification rounds, elimination matches, mixed team events and team events. The top collegiate archers were awarded medals in all events, and USA Archery also presented the prestigious National Team Championship, All-American Team, All-Around Archer of the Year, and Coach of the Year awards.

Matt Horst, director of SSEC, expressed his excitement and honor at hosting the event. 

“As one of the premier hubs in southeast Georgia for the continued development of the shooting sports for all ages, hosting this event allowed us to introduce more people to our unique facility and further our goal of being an educational resource for the region, state, and country,” he said. 

Formerly world-ranked Georgia Southern archer Cassy Pelton, now head archery coach at the SSEC, served as tournament director for the event.

The USA Archery Collegiate Target Nationals was not just a significant milestone for Georgia Southern but also for the city of Statesboro. It was an opportunity to showcase the city’s facilities, hospitality and commitment to sports. Local businesses, including hotels and restaurants, geared up to welcome the influx of visitors, ensuring they experienced the best of Statesboro.

— Photos by Jeremy Wilburn