Two Yukon Archers, Delia Therriault, 12, and Emmett Kapaniuk, 14, set Canadian records in their respective categories. The duo, along with other archers shot in the Multi-sites Indoor Championships of the Americas (MICA) on December 16.

MICA is an indoor virtual competition, organized by World Archery Americas annually. Canadian clubs interested in competing in MICA can register their site with Archery Canada. Scores are then submitted to World Archery America and put into ranking with competitors from across the Americas.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, archery clubs from the Americas had a year, or until Dec. 31, to shoot and submit their round.

The MICA results have not been tabulated yet, but the Canadian results have, putting Therriault and Kapaniuk at the top of their divisions. For all the Yukon archers, it was their first sanctioned competition since March.

Therriault has been shooting for two years. She was inspired to start archery when attending school in Mayo. Now, she lives in Whitehorse.

Vying in the Pre-Cub barebow, Therriault shot 438 – the new record. When she began her shoot, being tops in Canada was not something she expected.

“It just kind of happened I guess,” said Therriault. “But, it feels very good, I’m really happy.”

COVID-19 has made it a weird year for athletes across the country. The archers managed to find a space to continue training and Therriault said she felt prepared to shoot.

“I felt pretty good, I felt pretty confident that I was going to do OK,” said Therriault. “I just didn’t think I would do that good.”

Kapaniuk, 14, has been practicing archery for about “four or five years.” Kapaniuk, along with Therriault would have represented the Yukon at the 2020 Arctic Winter Games.

Kapaniuk was shooting in the Cub compound category and shot 573. The score ties the Canadian record.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Kapaniuk. “It wasn’t exactly what I was going for but I’m still pretty happy with it. It is still the record, still tied it, still get my name in the books so I’m good with it.”

His name will be next to that record but he will not have the opportunity to break it because he will age out of the Cub age category.

Still, as he moves up, he will be aiming (yes intended) at etching his name in the record books again.

“I’ll be able to go for the record in my new category, that is exactly the plan,” said Kapaniuk.

He already has his plan on how to keep improving.

“With COVID we won’t be able to go to tournaments, but, we have access to lots of practice and range time,” said Kapaniuk. “So just build on that and practice at home and get what you need to get done before tournaments start popping up again.”

Sharing in the success of achieving a Canadian record with a teammate is something special to Kapaniuk.

“It’s definitely amazing,” said Kapaniuk. “Thinking back to where the Yukon started, it was just the four archers going to B.C. for tournaments, and seeing how much it has grown is just crazy.”

Both Kapaniuk and Therriault hope their success will help the sport continue to grow in the territory.

“I hope so yeah,” said Therriault.

“I definitely think it will,” said Kapaniuk. “It starts to get the name out even more in the Yukon that we are getting big things done.”