Amid the industrial hum of Coon Rapids, a local archery hub by the name of Average Joe's Archery is crafting not just arrows and bows but also Olympian dreams. As the Summer Olympics rage on, the eyes of the Average Joe's community—where novices and elite contenders share the range—are firmly fixed on the action unfolding in Paris. "So we've got anywhere from novice archers who are just starting to elite archers who are going to all the tournaments to try to make the U.S. team, and competing at that higher level," owner and coach Michele Muonio told Coon Rapids Minnesota.
The forge of talent is the Junior Olympic Archery Development program, or JOAD, presided over by Coach Bob Nash, who is also a co-owner. Not merely a training program but also a community, Nash emphasizes the familial aspect of the sport: "We're one big family,’ Nash said. ‘We travel together, we shoot together, we even go out to dinner together as a group," he explained in an interview with Coon Rapids Minnesota. Among these familiars is Callidora Muonio, an 18-year-old who grew up in the business and is now distinguishing herself nationally. "I've met my best friends by competing against them, so it's a pretty great sport to be in," Callidora said.
With Team USA archers Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold bagging a bronze in the mixed team event, the Olympic zeal at Average Joe's spikes. These high-level performances serve as an inspiration for the local young shooters who hope to follow suit. "Well Brady's fun to watch. He's been in the Olympics so many times," remarked the younger Muonio. "And it's been really cool watching Casey come up. She is a great shot, and it's fun seeing a female perform at that high level."
But as the eyes of the world closely watch the Olympians, it's important to not forget the dreams of young athletes like 13-year-old Jacob Zbacnik who ambitiously looks up to those medalists. "Some day I see myself as an Olympian," Jacob said, as stated by the Coon Rapids Minnesota. This sentiment mirrors the aspirations of many at Average Joe's who are boldly aiming to also shoot their shot on the world's most prestigious archery stage.
