Steamboat Springs — Just a few years ago, most of the South Routt 4-H archers were new to the sport and to competition. Now, those same kids are among the best in the state.

“The kids that are shooting right now have probably been shooting two to three years,” South Routt archery coach Dave de la Mater said. “The kids have come a long way in a few years.”

The South Routt shooters competed in the state competition in late August and early September. The archers had a pair of individuals place in junior archer — Chase de la Mater, son of the head coach, and senior archer Harrison Ashley. Chase de la Mater took sixth and Ashley seventh in the competition, held in Pueblo.

“It’s kind of a big deal to place sixth and seventh in state with our senior and our junior,” Dave de la Mater said. “They work pretty hard and shot a lot.”

Ashley finished with 369 points in the two-round compound limited category, short of the 382 scored by state champion Colby Paulson, of Mesa. In the one-round junior division, Chase de la Mater scored 169 points, short of the 176 scored by state champion Austin Davis, of Garfield.

The South Routt archery team had its junior squad place seventh at state in the compound limited category. Team members included Chase de la Mater, Alex Colby, Darrel Ebaugh and Rachelle Koly, from Steamboat Springs. With the team as alternates were Spencer Ashley and Liam Yaconiello, as well as Hayden residents Taylor Powell and Faith Day.

The archery team finished with 577 points and 13 team tens. Fremont won the category with 648 points and nine team tens.

The archers were part of a record 28 4-H shooters who attended the state competition for Routt County this year. The group included a handful of state champions, with South Routt’s Kendra Halder qualifying for next summer’s national competition in Nebraska in both the air rifle and the .22.

Richard Hallenbeck shot a perfect score in the shotgun/trap at state, taking third in a shootout, and he could possibly compete in the national competition as well.

Dave de la Mater thanked Darren Ebaugh and Scott Constine, who served as assistant archery coaches.

To reach Austin Colbert, call 970-871-4204, email acolbert@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @Austin_Colbert