Colorado Springs, CO - Archery has recently seen a surge of talent coming out of the Pacific Northwest. Much of that is due to the efforts of Michael Wichser, who has been named USA Archery's Developmental Coach of the Year for 2011.
Wichser has coached several Junior and Cadet athletes to high national rankings and even World Championship team placement, with archers Shannon Ostling, Katie Alexander, Ben Roop, Elizabeth Caughell, Madison Eich and Chasen Hacking all having strong performances during the 2011 competitive season. All six athletes have earned spots on the 2012 United States Archery Team (USAT).
Additionally, he has coached notable senior, cub and bowman athletes: Erin Mickelberry and Jeff Anderson are both members of the 2012 USAT; Cara Drake, Alexa Clap, Kimmie Roop and Kelsey Drake have all had standout seasons in the Bowman and Cub divisions, respectively. Three of Wichser's students (Anderson, Mickelberry and Eich) are in the hunt for spots on the 2012 Olympic Team.
"Mike takes children who have never shot a bow before and gets them to believe and dream that they can make a national team, be a national champion, and even make an Olympic Team," noted Carl Brattain, who submitted Wischer's nomination. "He gets children to believe and have confidence in themselves, and if they fail, to pick themselves up, building character and making them stronger."
Wischer has coached for twenty years in the WCW Ed Eliason JOAD program. He continues to receive guidance from Alexander Kirillov, a fellow Coach of the Year award recipient.
"Coaches who inspire their students are the cornerstone of our athlete development pipeline," notes Denise Parker, USA Archery CEO. "We're excited to see the strong talent and depth he is creating that are coming out of his program."
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