Medford’s Hillebrand shoots in World Championship event in West Virginia

Ezra Hillebrand of the Medford Archery Club finished 16th in his division at the 2023 International Bowhunting Organization’s World Championship held at Cacapon Resort State Park in Berkeley Springs, W.V. Aug. 10-13.

Hillebrand finished with a score of 314 out of a possible 440 in his 40 shots at 3-D targets during this unique outdoor competition. Hillebrand competed in the Male Genesis Class, which attracted 39 archers in his division who used the same equipment rules as required for all National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) events using the unmodified original Genesis bow and NASP Easton arrows.

Qualifying was held during the NASP/IBO Eastern Nationals in Louisville, Ky. in May with 572 male Genesis archers taking part. The top 20 scores (including ties) in each division qualified for this World Championship. Hillebrand got a 264 then to qualify. His experience was made possible with the support of business sponsors Big Daddy’s Fireworks, Solace Ink Company and Thrivent Financial - Bryce Kelley as well as numerous friends and family.

Hillebrand was the only Wisconsin archer in the division, which was won by Connor Blair of Ohio. The top five scorers advanced to a shoot-off to determine the champion. Blair, who shot a 372, added 96 points in the shoot-off to win the competition with 468 total points, three ahead of Jacob Harless of West Virigina (373 + 92). Wyatt Clancy of Missouri was third (371 + 88 = 459) was third, followed by Trevor Thompson of Tennessee (369 + 80 = 449) and Hoyt Forbes of Missouri (353 + 88 = 441).