Utahns Ed Eliason and Denise Parker did what they were expected to on Sunday as they captured titles at the Western National Indoor Archery Championships at the Salt Palace.
Eliason, on top of his craft the past year, bested former Olympic medalists Rick McKinney of Gilbert, Ariz. and Jay Barrs of Mesa, Ariz., to win the Adult Men's title with a score of 1176 (out of a possible 1200 points). McKinney was second at 1169 and Barrs third at 1161 after the two-day competition.In adult females, Parker of South Jordan easily defeated Julie Nelson of Los Gatos, Calif., totalling 1158 on a pair of identical 579 scores both Saturday and Sunday. Nelson finished with 1125 points, while Janet Schaffer of Mesa, Ariz., was third at 1106.
The Western Nationals are one of four regional meets put on by the National Archery Association (NAA). Scores from the other three NAA regionals will be combined with the Salt Lake results to determine national champions and rankings for all NAA competitors.
The only other local top 10 finisher was Dawn Graham, fifth in adult females with 1,098 points.
Champion of the barebow men division was Bob Burns of Rough-and-Ready, Calif., who edged David Rosin of Roseville, Calif., 958 to 944. In crossbow, Rick McKechnie of Orange, Calif., prevailed with a score of 1,159. Silver medalist was Val Rosas of Buena Park, Calif., at 1,156, while the bronze in crossbow went to Yong Kim of Long Beach, Calif., with 1,139.
Utah boasted two other regional champs. Jessica Workman of Salt Lake City won the Junior Ladies' title with a score of 935, and Stacey Peterson of Park City was Cadet Ladies' champ with a score of 769.
Alan Rasor of Templeton, Calif., took the Intermediate Men's crown with a score of 1,161. Jason Treft of Kaysville was second at 1,115, and Justin Hallman of Riverton was third at 1,109. Allison McDonald of Orinda, Calif., won the gold medal in Intermediate Ladies with 1,097.
Other local medalists included Riverton's Sam Mathis, second in Junior Men with a 1,070 total; Ogden's Jacob Holbrook, second in Cadet Men at 821; and West Jordan's Jorja Beckstead, third in Cadet Ladies with a score of 572.
Local archery enthusiasts also participated both days in the Salt Lake Classic, shooting at both 18 and 25 meters, and at, respectively, 40 and 60 centimeter targets. Salt Lake City also hosted the Western Nationals last year, and local officials hope to make the regional competition an annual event in Utah.