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MATNEY IS AREA YOUTH HERO
By Cathy Patton
Three-time IBO World Archery Trophy Champion Ryan Matney, War, was honored by the Concord Mountain Lions April 12, 2008, during the double-header baseball game against the Bluefield State Big Blues as Area Youth Hero for 2007-2008.
Ryan was escorted to the dugout by Stephen Ziegler, where he walked out on the field to meet with Coach Garrett to throw out the opening pitch. After the pitch, all of Concord’s players ran out on the field to congratulate Ryan on his honor and to award him the opening-pitch ball.
Ryan, 15, the son of Arlie and Karen Matney, is a sophomore at Big Creek High School, and will begin his archery season with defending his WV Triple Crown Title starting at Huntington, WV, May 3; at Parkersburg, June 7, and Clarksburg, June 21. He will also be gearing up to defend his world title when he travels to Ellicottville, New York, during the week of August 21 -23, 2008.
“I enjoy archery a lot,” Ryan says. “It has helped me create a niche in my life. I like it because it has helped me to overcome a visual handicap and because it has brought my family closer together. Archery is an avocation to me, but I don’t know if it will become a full-time vocation. I don’t want to be consumed by it, like some of the champions seem to be.”
As for his latest honor, Ryan smiled. “I appreciate it, but was totally surprised. It made me feel on top of the world.” (Submitted by Cathy Patton)
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