Archery a time-honored practice through the ages, though once a highly celebrated form of combat, it is still used as a form of hunting and has sparked into a hobby and national activity.

Several archers gathered at the Pekin Archery Club for the Illinois State Archery Championship, which featured a two-day tournament.

In this tournament, archers line up, aim and shoot! After everyone is done, they march over to the targets, score their shots, walk back and do start it all over again. Archers from all across Illinois joined in for the weekend event.

"The shooters come from all corners of the state.
And we've got some generally coming from as far away as Carbondale, Chicago, Rockford and the Quad Cities.
I mean, basically all four corners of the state."

But some archers come to this event for another reason. Female state champion Ms. Prindell says "there's so many people you meet.
And sometimes you only see them once or twice a year.
But, it, you know, it's like an extended family."

Family in addition to pride in the community..
Local Archer Vic Wunderle will participate in the 2008 Olympics games.
He has brought a lot of inspiration to his fellow archers in Central Illinois.
Archer Ed Flier remember watching Winderle grow up.
"Yeah, I was with him when he was only three and a half feet tall.
And his dad. My brother and I were shooting Olympic style at the time and suggested he started it up.
A little reluctant at first, but now he's accomplished everything.
So we're proud of him."
But he's not the only champion. Several local archers have made it through state and national competitions, including Mike Flier and Cathy Prindell. Both not only enjoy the sport but also are happy to see locals compete.
Prindell states "well I think it's wonderful how some of our local people and even just people who have the talent go to the Olympics."

And State Champion Mike Flier fully supports Wunderlee.
"Vic Wunderle getting there?
You bet it does.
It helps all of us.
It gives everybody a lot of encouragement.
We wish him well there. We're sure he'll do well."

And remember, News 25 will be giving full coverage of our local athletes in the 2008 Olympics which starts August 8th.