NTU archers qualify for National Championships

FORT DEFIANCE

Navajo Technical University continues to produce outstanding archers on the national level.

NTU archers Steven Bitah and Shawndell Francis qualified to compete in the United States Intercollegiate Indoor Archery Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada. The archery championships are being held jointly with the Vegas Shootout. Both events are scheduled for February 10-12 at the South Point Hotel and Casino.

NTU archery head coach Clyde Henderson said Bitah and Francis both qualified in the basic category. He said Bitah qualified sixth and Francis eighth after regional qualifiers at NTU’s West Region competition last month.

During the competition, Bitah shot 517 after 120 arrows and 40 rounds. Francis shot 401 after 120 arrows.

“If you try to shoot for the moon and miss, at least you’ll land amongst the stars,” said Bitah, who earned a 4.00 grade point average last semester and is majoring in Electrical program.

He said he doesn’t know what his expectations are until he tries.

“Just being selected was a great feeling of accomplishment, knowing I put myself and NTU on the map,” Bitah said. “This is my first time qualifying for the nationals, so based on that ratio, let’s hope there will be many more.”

Henderson said Bitah has been shooting well throughout the indoor season.

“Steven is shooting well considering this competition will be his second official collegiate archery shoot,” Henderson said. “He shot over the weekend in Albuquerque at the New Mexico Indoor Championships, finishing third place in the Senior Traditional Bow division.”

Henderson noted that Bitah has been a consistent archer with more room for growth as the indoor season winds down.

“He will be shooting two weeks at the 48th U.S. National Indoor Championships in Albuquerque at the Convention Center on February 18 and 19,” Henderson stated.

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