Muskingum Places 8th at Nationals, Caps Best Season in Program History
The 2026 season marked another big step forward for Muskingum archery, and that progress showed in a major way at the HotelPlanner USA Archery Collegiate Target Nationals at Hope Sports Complex, Lansing, Michigan.
Sophomore Kelly Hawvermale turned in a historic performance in women's barebow, shooting a 623/720 to set a new national record and take the top qualifying spot. She finished with 15 tens and 3 Xs, continuing what has been a dominant stretch over the past two seasons. The previous record was 620.
On the men's side, graduate Wes Ellsworth matched that effort in fixed pins. His 684/720 was not only good for first in qualification, but also set a new program record, highlighted by 43 tens and 19 Xs.
Freshman Calvin Bartolin posted a new program mark in men's Olympic recurve, while junior Trinity Howard did the same on the women's side with a strong 584.
When eliminations began, Muskingum stayed right in the mix. Hawvermale worked her way all the way to the final round, finishing as the national runner-up. Ellsworth added a 5th-place finish, and freshman Brooke Livingston secured 8th.
Beyond individual finishes, the weekend also brought some major honors. Hawvermale was named Female Barebow All-Around Archer of the Year for the second straight year, an award based on performances across 3D, indoor, and outdoor target seasons. Ellsworth was named runner-up for the men's fixed pins all-around award.
In team competition, the Muskies continued to show depth. The women's barebow team finished 4th, just outside the podium, while the men's fixed pins team took 6th. The mixed teams followed a similar pattern, with a 4th-place finish in barebow and 6th in fixed pins.
Team Round Participants
Women's Barebow Team (4th Place)
So. Kelly Hawvermale
Jr. Carlie Ellsworth
Jr. Jensen LaCroix
Men's Fixed Pins Team (6th Place)
Gr. Wes Ellsworth
So. Roman Gallitz
Ezekiel Rinard
Barebow Mixed Team (4th Place)
So. Kelly Hawvermale
Jr. Gage Kennedy
Fixed Pins Mixed Team (6th Place)
Gr. Wes Ellsworth
Fr. Brooke Livingston
The program also saw strong representation academically, with seven archers named Academic All-Americans, reflecting the balance the team continues to maintain between competition and the classroom.
Academic All-Americans
Sr. Kylee Brookover – Women's Compound
Jr. Kaitlyn Oswald – Women's Compound
So. Kelly Hawvermale – Women's Barebow
Gr. Wes Ellsworth – Men's Fixed Pins
So. Roman Gallitz – Men's Fixed Pins
Ezekiel Rinard – Men's Fixed Pins
Fr. Brooke Livingston – Women's Fixed Pins
2026 All-Americans were announced over the weekend, with Muskingum placing three archers on the national list:
All-Americans
So. Kelly Hawvermale – Women's Barebow
Jr. Carlie Ellsworth – Women's Barebow
Gr. Wes Ellsworth – Men's Fixed Pins
When everything was tallied, Muskingum finished 8th out of 50 teams, the best outdoor target finish in program history and the second straight year inside the top 10.
Looking at the full year, it stands as the most successful season the program has had. Muskingum came away with a national champion (Kylee Brookover), a national championship team in indoor women's barebow, multiple runner-up finishes, and a long list of top-five and top-10 team results.
With overall finishes of 6th in 3D, 9th in indoor, and 8th in outdoor target, the Muskies have clearly taken another step forward on the national stage.