The STC archers competed at the Iowa NASP State Championship tournament in Des Moines last weekend. NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

This past weekend proved to be a fruitful one for members of the South Tama Archery Club. Historic local archers Timm Chandonia and Ava Bolt both took the high school division by storm in both bullseye and 3D archery competing at the Iowa NASP State Championship tournament in Des Moines.

Chandonia is no stranger to these big moments, faring well in previous years and even holding a perfect 300 point score in bullseye archery to his name. This tournament was no different for the high school junior. In bullseye Chandonia placed 11th, followed by a first place finish in the 3D event. With the outright win in 3D, the STC junior earned himself a spot as one of the All-State Team Archers which is selected based on the following: your top two scores from the course of the season, plus your score at the State Tournament this weekend. A perfect score for a round is 300 points. The total score possible for the All-State Team is 900 points, and the top six scoring archers All-State team. Additionally, a win in 3D brought home a $1,500 scholarship for Chandonia.

After the event, Chandonia caught up with the News Chronicle, summing up his weekend in a brief statement.

“I’m glad that I was able to do well in it (3D). It makes me proud,” he said.

After starting archery seven years ago, Timm Chandonia can now add a state title to his laundry list of archery accomplishments.

STC junior Timm Chandonia displays his first place plaque for the 3D shoot at the Iowa Archery in the Schools State Tournament. NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

In more success for the group, Ava Boldt cleaned up in the high school girls categories. Finishing second in 3D and winning outright in Bullseye. Boldt talked about being curious about just how good she can do at the tournament.

“I came into State just wanting to do my best and see how I ended up placing,” she said.

This curiosity paid dividends for the STC 9th grader, bringing home three scholarships for her placing in both events and winning the award for highest combined score of both events with a mark of 587 out of 600.

After the event both Chandonia and Boldt expressed gratitude for the scholarships they both received after their respective performances. Many years of practice has gone into these two archers rising to the top of state competition, both starting in either fourth or fifth grade. With those many years of experience for the now STC high schoolers, they will continue on with their postseason run.

Both archers qualified for the National Meet in Sandy, Utah from April 25-27, bringing their state championship level competition to meet the rest of the country in a few weeks time.

STC freshman Ava Boldt displays her awards for getting first place in the Bullseye shoot at the Iowa Archery in the Schools State Tournament. NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT

The dynamic duo of Boldt and Chandomia had their sights on greatness at state, and now the pair is aiming for a national level bullseye!

STC freshman Ava Boldt and junior Timm Chandonia display all of their awards and scholarships won during the 2025 Iowa Archery in the Schools State Tournament. NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT