Emma Evaristo, 11, of Stevenson Ranch prepares to shoot during the 2019 Olympic Day, held at the SCV Archery Range in Canyon Country on Saturday.
To the sounds of bow strings snapping and targets whapping, SCV Archery and the National Olympic Committee hosted the 2019 Olympic Day on Saturday.
The free event, working in partnership with the city of Santa Clarita, featured participants from beginners to experts, and allowed all those in attendance to learn or practice with bows and arrows at the recently opened SCV Archery range.
“It’s a worldwide event ... and we happen to be one of the places that’s designated to be an Olympic Day (site),” said Ronnie Silos, president of SCV Archery. “It’s about promoting outdoor activity, getting the community to come out and try new sports, like archery, and to just go out and have fun.”
This is the first event of its kind for the Santa Clarita Valley, and Silos hopes events like this will be able to show kids and their families the benefits to participating in archery.
“The way I see it is, like, why sports are important,” said Silos. “The work ethic that it gives you ... it’s about discipline, work ethic, being outdoors, having goals and it translates to everything. Suddenly, you’re doing better in school and making the best of everything that you can.”
The event featured an elimination competition — divided into skill levels — where each contestant faced off against another archer, and three arrows would determine the highest score. One of the day’s favorites to win the competition was Trenton Cowles, a 17-year-old from Los Angeles.
At the most recent national tournament, Cowles won first place after beating every adult in his division. He also won gold in Argentina at the Youth Olympics earlier this year.
“Archery is a great sport, because it teaches you patience,” said Cowles. “You can’t get good really fast — it takes a lot of work. So, if you want to get good at archery, you have to
come and practice.”
His coach, Rene Paguia, was in attendance at Saturday’s event, not only coaching his regular students, but also those who were picking up a bow for the first time.
“I owe a lot to archery,” said Paguia, in reference to a story he told about his son, who had gotten into the sport after being diagnosed with a learning disability, attention deficit hyperactive disorder.
His son was able to use the sport to focus himself both in the classroom and on the range, and now Paguia tries to show new, younger students the benefits of the sport.
“That is very important for me, as a sort of giving back thing — to not only the community, but because of my son,” he added.
During the event, families brought picnic materials, canopies and food so they could watch all the various competitions throughout the day.
SCV Archery’s first beginner Junior Olympic Archery Development Camp started Monday. It runs for six weeks for two days a week, two hours per session. The classes are held from 5 p.m to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
Classes are available for ages 9 to 20, and spots are limited to 15 archers. To view more details or to sign up, visit www.scvarchery.com.