Uniontown, PA – 2014 ASA Shooter of the Year, Levi Morgan, again found himself in the "chase" position, but fought his way back to victory at the latest ASA event held in Cullman, AL – July 24-26. Morgan jumped out to an early lead during round one after finding the 12-ring on five of his first six targets. Despite the early lead, Morgan flattened out and had a tough time catching an edge anywhere throughout the remainder of the course. After completing the first round, Morgan found himself back in the pack, tied for seventh place, after posting a 214 with eight 12's. Conditions were perfect throughout the weekend in Cullman, with hot temperatures, sunny skies, and little wind which allowed Pros to focus on their shooting and not on adjustments for weather. As a result, competition was tight across the Open Pro category.
"Other than hot weather, the conditions were not a factor all weekend, unlike the past few tournaments," said Morgan. "The course, however, was a little more challenging being set up in a zig-zag pattern, so we'd shoot targets downhill on one side of the road and then cross the road to the next target which was level; it made it tough for me to get into a rhythm and pull a good string of scores together."
At the outdoor 3-D event, Pro Division contestants shoot two rounds of twenty targets from unmarked distances that vary in distance up to 50 yards. The five highest scores from the first two rounds qualify for the shoot-off to decide the winner.
The eight-time consecutive ASA Shooter of Year and SOY record-holder, knew he would have to kick up his performance to a higher level on Sunday's second round if he were to have a shot at the win. However, after dropping a few places early, Morgan struggled to gain traction and find his momentum until the final five targets. Shooting 12's on four of the final five targets, put Morgan in a tie for second place and earned him a spot in the final shoot off for the win.
"I knew after the first round that I was either going to win or wreck the car trying, as they say," said Morgan. "I don't know what it is, but when you're coming from behind you tend to step up your focus and shoot to win, but sometimes when I find myself in the lead, I'm playing it safe and shooting not to lose. It makes a difference. So much of this sport is about mental toughness and keeping your composure."
The final shoot off consisted of five different 3D targets, two at shorter distances and three at longer distances. Going into the fifth target, Morgan maintained a six point lead, but a 14 on the fifth target by Chance Beaubouef cut that lead down to two. Morgan, Beaubouef and Justin Bethel went on to the sixth and final target to decide the winner. With Beaubouef hitting an eight and Bethel a five, Morgan only needed an eight to win, but stuck a 12 to take home his second ASA victory of the season. With the win in Cullman, Morgan now holds a solid lead on the ASA Shooter of the Year points total.
"This was another one of those tournaments where I just didn't feel I had control early on," said Morgan. "But there comes a time when you have to start shooting to win, regardless of risk, and luckily it paid off again this weekend."
ABOUT LEVI MORGAN: World renowned archer, Levi Morgan, is a 10x World Champion, 42x National Champion, 11x Shooter of the Year and has won the ASA Shooter of the Year title a record setting 8x in a row. He is the Host of the popular hunting show, Name The Game, currently airing on the Sportsman Channel. For more information on Levi Morgan, please visit NameTheGameTV.com.
LEVI MORGAN TOURNAMENT SET UP:
BOW: Elite Victory
ARROWS: Gold Tip Triple X with Q2i Raptor vanes, 140 grain heads
REST: QAD HDX Tournament Prototype
SIGHT: CBE Vertex, 3x lens with #1 Clarifier, .010 pin
RELEASE: SCOTT Exxus
PEEP: Peeping Tom
