It’s been a memorable year for Sault archer Lana Perry.
Perry recently returned after coaching Team Canada at the World Archery 3D Championships in Mokrice, Slovenia, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6.
3D Archery involves shooting arrows at three dimensional, life-sized foam targets, shaped like various animals and typically located at various points throughout an outdoor trail.
The team included 16 adult competitors, male and female, from Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Manitoba.
Canada did not make the podium but Perry is proud of her team members, who gave it their all.
“I'm proud of everyone for doing the best they could while exhibiting good sportsmanship as Team Canada with other athletes,” Perry told SooToday.
“Personal achievements were made by many of the team no matter where they landed in ranking, and four members made it through the top 16 cut for elimination - Katie Britton, Miranda Sparkes, Monica Higgins, and Alex Melnick - who all have previous worlds experience. Katie made it through to the top eight for elimination and came out ranked fifth in the world. Miranda, Monica and Alex didn't win their matches but were the highest ranked of the eliminated athletes.”
Those three - Sparkes, Higgins and Melnick - each finished in ninth spot in their competitions.
“During elimination those athletes competed well. Unfortunately, even when you shoot a great match, you have no control over how well your opponent does, and the field is full of the best of the best,” said Perry, who has competed at three World 3D Archery Championships - in Latina, Italy in 2009, Sardinia in 2013, and Lac La Biche, Alberta in 2019.
Among her favourite memories is her first time competing at the 3D Archery World Championships in Latina, Italy in 2009.
Perry and two other Canadian female archers sat in the top five after the first day of competition.
“It was a phenomenal feeling,” she said.
“Although I've competed at this level before, this was my first opportunity to act as coach and support the team in this way. It's been a pleasure to be a member of the team and see the group support each other, cheer each other on, lift each other up when someone didn't perform to their personal standards, and celebrate when achievements are made, regardless of what those goals were.”
The event was held on a Slovenian castle’s grounds.
“While most of the qualifications were hidden from spectators, we were able to watch some of the shots from a bridge leading over to the castle. The landscape was gorgeous and the event coordinators used the terrain well. The eliminations and finals were held in an openly visible area so we could follow along as scores were updated target to target. There was a lot of excitement among those watching,” Perry said.
Prior to coaching Team Canada in Slovenia, Perry enjoyed success competing at the 2024 Canadian Outdoor Archery Championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick in August.
There, she won the silver medal in women’s 3D archery and bronze in the target competition.
“It's difficult to sum up the worlds experience,” Perry said.
“It went by so fast and now it kind of feels like a dream. I'm still working on going over it, cementing those memories, going through pictures. I made amazing bonds with my team and wonderful new friends from around the world. Fortunately, social media allows me to keep in touch with all of them. It's been a personal achievement of mine just to be a part of such an incredible experience.”
Perry said she’s already looking forward to the next World Championships to be held in the U.S.
Trials for that competition take place in Lac La Biche, Alberta in August.
“I'm undecided as to whether to try out as an athlete or apply for a coaching position again. It may depend on the shoulder injury I've been dealing with and if surgery is required,” Perry said.
Perry, who has competed successfully at all levels, co-owns and operates archery school Arrows in Motion with husband Jacob McEachern at the Algoma Rod and Gun Club.
“For now, I'll continue working with all of the amazing students I have here, through regular lessons, and prepping them for upcoming events and indoor provincials, outdoor provincials, and nationals next summer," Perry said.