Sawyer Routzahn, from Wolfsville, only started practicing archery competitively last year. Now just 11 years old, he has won several national awards and has earned his first world title as Shooter of the Year at the 2022 International Archery Organization World Championships in the CUB Division.
The IBO World Championship, held August 11-14 in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, is the final tournament on the IBO circuit. The shooter of the year is obtained by placing among the top five scores of six national tournaments. Sawyer had the highest total score with 2013 points and 76 Xs, followed by the second place winner with 1998 points and 69 Xs.
Sawyer’s successful journey on the IBO circuit began with two first-place finishes. In March, she competed in the IBO Winter National Championships held in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The following month, she competed in the IBO Spring National held in Wilmore, Kentucky.
IBO Triple Crown National Championship
Sawyer traveled to three states in three months to compete in the IBO Triple Crown National Championship. This tournament consists of three national events organized in separate states. Each event has identical rules and classes, culminating in the crowning of national champions of various ages, genders, and team classes.
The first leg of the National IBO Triple Crown began in May in Pipe Stem, West Virginia, where Sawyer placed third. In June, he placed third in the 3D event and third in the field event while competing in the second leg of the National IBO Triple Crown held in Franklin, Pennsylvania. The final stage of the Triple Crown took place in Nelsonville, Ohio from July 15-17. Sawyer placed fifth in the 3D event and second in the field event. His total scores from all three events earned him an impressive third place finish.
3-D Archery at CFGPA
In late August, I met with Sawyer and his father, Wes, at the Catoctin Game and Fish Protection Association in Myersville. They were joined by Wes’s friend Mike Grossnickle. CFGPA is Sawyer’s home base for her archery training. CFGPA opens its archery range to the public on Wednesday nights during the summer months.
Sawyer impressed me with his first take of the night. He set up a small downhill squirrel target at 30 yards. After calculating the distance and adjusting his sights on him, he drew back his bow and released the arrow smoothly. His form was impeccable, and the shot landed right in the center of the kill zone. All fifteen animal targets, from the tiny rufous grouse to the huge bull moose, had similar results. All three shooters were very skilled with their archery equipment.
All IBO competition ranges consist of realistic 3D animal targets, placed along a trail and placed at unknown distances. The archery range at CFGPA uses the same 3D animal targets used in IBO competition. The very definition of 3-D archery requires animal targets to be set at unknown distances in order to utilize distance estimation ability during competition.
Sawyer shoots a compound bow with a rear tension release aid instead of a more standard trigger. CUB is the class for male archers ages 9-11 or female archers ages 9-12. Equipment in the CUB class consists of a compound, recurve, or longbow shot with no restrictions on sights, stabilizers, or throwing style. CUB archer bows are limited to a draw weight of less than 40 pounds.
Bowhunting Success
I was not surprised to learn that Sawyer is also an accomplished bowhunter. Bowhunters rely on his marksmanship to hunt with archery equipment.
Sawyer’s skill on the shooting range has produced success on the hunt. Sawyer has shot both a whitetail deer and a wild turkey with his bow while he hunted with his father.
“Shooting that turkey was even more exciting than shooting a deer,” Wes said.
Wes called and Sawyer fired. The turkey came out from behind her hiding place and attacked the decoy placed only a few meters from her hiding place. Sawyer made a perfect shot to claim his first wild turkey with a bow and arrow, a feat worthy of any hunter.
Archery is a family activity.
The Routzahn family, including Sawyer, his father Wes, his mother Vanessa, and his sister Audrey, enjoy photographing together. Earlier this summer, they joined other families to compete in the Total Archery Challenge held in Seven Springs. They also like to hunt together.
“My mom and I paired up while hunting deer together during gun season,” Sawyer said.
When asked what he likes most about archery competitions, Sawyer said, “I like making new friends at events.”
Watching Sawyer shoot on the CFGPA field, it became clear that his success is based on his ability to focus and clear his head while shooting. She has the benefit of great mentors and incredible family support, all key factors for success.
“Sawyer can be a little hard on himself,” said Grossnickle, who only offered the young shooter encouragement.
As for his next goal, Sawyer said, “I’d like to win the Super Slam.”
I think Sawyer was referring to the Grand Slam, the highest IBO achievement that can only be claimed by winning all three stages of the IBO Triple Crown National Championship and the IBO World Championship. He has the right mindset as a goalkeeper and the support to make that happen.
