A member of the Northeast Community College archery team has earned national honors. Victoria Novak, Holdrege, finished with the highest score in the Women’s Basic Bow class at the 3-D United States Intercollegiate Archery Championships in Columbia, MO.  She won a plaque and a $500 scholarship for finishing first.

Novak was one of five members of the Northeast archery team to compete in the two-day tournament earlier this month.

In the mixed bow hunter team competition, Elizabeth Wallace, O’Neill, and Clayton Lienemann, Pierce, attempted to defend their national third place finish from last year, but a bad arrow stopped their run.  Lienemann, Steve Cornett, Wisner, and Mike Meduna, Wahoo, competed in the men’s competition.  They won the first shoot down round, but lost in the second round to the eventual champions by three points.

Northeast Community College and teams from Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln represented Nebraska at the tournament that attracted 115 archers from 16 colleges and universities.

Northeast Coach Randy Latimer said conditions played a factor at the start of the tournament. “The weather on Saturday was cold, wet and windy with standing water in places, so scores were lower.  Sunday turned warmer and nice and things improved.”

We had a chance to sit down with Victoria for an On The Couch interview.