Sparta Head Coach Thomas Jemes says he knew that soon-to-be sixth graders Wyatt and Weston Clancy were going to be good when he first saw them draw a bow.”That first couple practices you’re just like, ‘They’re going to be good,'” he said. “After you see them shoot, it doesn’t take long to tell.”And it hasn’t taken long for them to learn. They first shot on targets. But coach Jemes remembers the time earlier this year when they decided to switch it up with 3D targets. That meant they were shooting objects instead of bullseyes.
“We were just going to have fun at the state tournament and let them shoot the 3D,” said Jemes. “We had never shot 3D targets at a tournament. And they ended up shooting that at the state tournament and took first and second.”
The brothers born just minutes apart are two of the very best in the country at putting their arrows just inches apart from the bullseye. For the Clancy’s, archery is in their blood.
“My dad bought us bows when we were four,” said Wyatt. “We just kept doing that [and thinking], “Like, this is awesome,'”
“We do a lot of stuff together, we practice together,” said Weston. “It’s fun having someone you can shoot with and not by yourself. And someone you can play around with.”
They put a twin killing on the targets at the National Archery in Schools Program World Championships. They each finished in the top four. Proving themselves against the best fifth and sixth grade archers on the planet. They certainly earned their favorite postgame meal. For Wyatt, that’s a half rack of ribs at Texas Roadhouse.
Weston says he really enjoys shooting some more exotic targets “We spray paint a lot of things,” he said. “And use those empty bottles and shoot at them. It’s fun when they explode.”
The two are excited to explore their other interests in rodeo, bronc riding, and farming. And to pursue individual world championships. Through it all, they have a mantra that continues to serve them well. As Wyatt put it, “Keep shooting.”
