If Wilbraham & Monson Academy had an archery team, it's pretty clear who the Titans' top shooter would be.
Since he started his season in October, Gene Kang '20 has placed first in four of his seven competitions.
In his latest event, he didn't win. However, he was lined up with the best shooters in the country, all vying for a spot on the junior national team. Gene placed 14th in mid-December at the Youth Team Trials in Florida.
"It was great to go the training center," Gene said. "I didn't shoot well but it was a good experience to shoot next to the best of the best in that division."
Prior to the national event, Gene has often been the best of the best. Gene started his season with wins at the Bay Path Tournament Oct. 15 and the New England Warm-Up Nov. 5 before placing second at the Lunenburg Tournament Nov. 12. Gene then won the Massachusetts State Junior Olympic Archery Development Championships Dec. 2 and finished second at another one of the New England Warm-Up meets Dec. 3.
Gene repeated as the champion of the JOAD event. More than 160 competitors participated at the event in Hudson, Mass.
"I didn't feel any pressure," he said. "I focused on the process and not the outcome."
Next came the Connecticut State Championship, which Gene won also Dec. 9.
"It was another local tournament," Gene explained. "I'm continually building up to indoor nationals. It's important to get those competitions in and practice scoring over and over again to make sure I'm ready for indoor nationals.
The 2018 Indoor National Championship will be held in Fiskdale, Mass., Feb. 23-25. Gene finished second in his age group at the event a year ago.
Following the championship, Gene will travel to the Republic of Korea, where he will train for a week with that country's national coach, Kim Hyung Tak.
"He's probably one of the top three coaches in the world," said Gene, whose parents both grew up in South Korea. "It will be another perspective because I've already learned from Coach Lee, who is the head coach for the U.S. To see how Korea does, and being such an international presence in archery, is going to be a good things"