Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 17, 1993 TAG: 9307170185
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS BACHELDER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Fifty-five pounds and just 4 feet, 8 inches from faded Chicago Bulls cap to black sneakers, the rising fifth-grader is already a seasoned veteran in the sport of archery.
Lowe, the youngest shooter this weekend in the 1993 Commonwealth Games at Salem's Green Hill Park, has been eyeing targets for half of his 10-year life. And his aim is true.
Competing against older archers of the Cub Division (11-under) in National Field Archery Association competition, Lowe earlier this year won the Virginia state open tournament, as well as the Mid-Atlantic regional tournament, which included shooters from eight states.
At the NFAA's national indoor tournament in Louisville in March, he took fifth place and added to his already large assortment of trophies and awards.
"I've been shooting for five years," said Lowe, who is competing in the Youth Division (12-15) this weekend. "My dad gave me a little red bow for Christmas and he told me I could start shooting when it got warm outside.
"It was hard at first, but once I got the hang of it, it was easy. I just practiced and practiced and worked my way up."
Steven's father, Steve Lowe, started bow hunting about 12 years ago, and began competing in target shooting about eight years ago. The Lowes practice in their backyard and at a range in Christiansburg operated by Triangle Archers.
The elder Lowe is also competing this weekend, but he said he didn't expect a top finish. He introduced himself as "the guy who takes the kid around so we can bring home a trophy."
"I gave him a little starter bow when he was five, and he hasn't laid one down since," said Lowe, who repairs equipment for a Virginia Tech research lab.
"We'll come home from a competition and everybody will be relaxing in the house, and there's Steven, out in the backyard popping arrows. Bad days get to him. If he has a fault, it's that he tries too hard.
"He doesn't have great form, but he just repeats his shot over and over and over. He won't quit."
by CNB