Shelby Township

Local archers heading to world championships

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo provided by Tom Corey Jake Corey, far left, and Cody Corey, far right, are headed to the bow hunting world championships Aug. 8-11. They’re pictured with their dad, Tom Corey. Photo provided by Tom Corey Jake Corey, far left, and Cody Corey, far right, are headed to the bow hunting world championships Aug. 8-11. They’re pictured with their dad, Tom Corey.

Jake and Cody Corey are straight shooters, literally.

Winning championships at multiple levels, the Shelby Township residents have taken the bow-hunting scene by storm.

Recently, the brothers won their second straight state championship in the International Bow Hunting Organization, and Cody won the Triple Crown, which is awarded to the archer with the highest combined score from three different tournaments in the Midwest. Jake finished fourth in the same competition in his age group.

They’re now heading to the world championship Aug. 8-11 at Seven Springs, Pa.

Their father, Tom Corey, said the duo has had a natural knack for the sports since they started just a few years ago.

“We just started out shooting because we bow hunt, so we shot some targets, and they really loved it,” Tom Corey said. “So we just continued on to bigger circuits, and this is where we ended up, on top.”

The brothers said their favorite part is the competition and meeting fellow competitors, but also the concentration it takes to be good.

“You have to walk up there and just calm yourself down,” Jake, 14, said. “When you pull up, all you’ll do is start shaking (if you’re not calm), and that messes up your shot.”

Cody agreed.

“It’s really tough at this level. You have to work hard and make sure each shot is perfect. If you drop one arrow, it can drop you out of the competition,” Cody, 13, said. “You have to focus on your target and go through steps on how you’re shooting. Making sure your grip is good, your bow is level, and you feel comfortable in the shot.

“It just feels like you take the same exact shot every shot. It gives you the confidence to shoot better.”

The brothers also get their confidence from the hard work they’ve put in. They average about four or five hours of practice a day.

Jake hopes it takes him to the Olympics some day, while Cody also hopes it provides a future for him.

“I’d like to go on and become a pro,” Cody said. “Hopefully, I can create a job with this.”

Until then, the brothers and their dad are content racking up victories across the country in their age groups, and hopefully, the world.

“I love it. Just spending time with your kids, doing something that they enjoy so much, it’s pretty cool,” their dad said. “I shoot with them all the time, but I’m not as good as they are, though. They’re pretty good shooters.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062. Follow Christian on Twitter.