Kevin Chen - Target Staff Shooter
My name is Kevin Chen and I started shooting target archery in December 2016 and have received my first actual bow in March 2017. I have worked hard everyday, and have learned that what you put in is what you will get out. With great progress in a short period of time, I have learned many life lessons and have come to love the sport. Rick has always been there when I need him and is ready to help and teach me when I need him the most. Without his help and his support, there is absolutely no way, I'd be able to shoot the way I do now. On my bow I shoot the R-Strings and Cables and would have to say that with all the numerous shots fired, the strings still keep up an amazing fight and will continue to do so! They have proven to be very durable and consistent with every shot |
Jack Chen - Junior Staff Shooter
My name is Jack Chen, I am 11 years old and, I have been shooting archery for a year now. I shoot an Absolute 38 with R-Strings & Cables (which have proven to be very durable), Hamskea rest, Axcel sight, Shrewd lens, Shrewd stabilizers, Victory 23’s, and a T.R.U Ball Pro Blade Release. In a year I’ve gone to many tournaments, and the ones I enjoy the most are the field shoots. One of my many accomplishments is a 300 58x, and without Rick’s coaching and guidance I would not be where I am today. |
Ellery Waldron - Junior Staff Shooter
I am 9 years old and starting shooting archery when I was 7. I thought it looked fun and gave it a try. When I was 8, I decided that this was the sport for me! I love working on and perfecting my technique. I really enjoy being with my friends at the club, and making new friends at tournaments. Currently I shoot a Hoyt Ruckus bow with Shrewd stabilizers and a TruBall Max 4 release. I started competing in the spring of 2017 and have participated in many tournaments in MN and the Midwest region. So far, I have placed at the MSAA State Field 2017 shoot, the NFAA 2017 National Outdoor Target shoot, and the 2018 Iowa Pro Am. This would not have been possible for me if it was not for the coaching and dedicated support from Rick. Rick’s patience and expertise has been priceless to my form, technique, self-confidence and equipment. When it’s time for me to upgrade or change to different style equipment, Rick and R-Strings and Cables have the expertise to tell me what will work best. I am excited to continue participating in the major archery tournaments, and honored to be a part of the R-Strings and Cables Junior Shooter Staff. I look forward to the exciting journey ahead! |
Savannah Shermo - Junior Staff Shooter
Hello! I am 12 years old and have been shooting since I was 9. I just started shooting tournaments around the Midwest in 2017 and have met a lot of new friends because of my interest in archery. I have had many mentors along the way, but Rick has brought me to my present shooting level. Without Ricks coaching and patience, I would not be where I am. We started our journey by meeting up with Rick and having a set of R-strings and Cables installed on my bow. From then on, we started some training sessions and working on form. My latest challenge has been to learn how to use a back-tension release. Rick has been there coaching me all along when I have issues. I am currently shooting an Elite Spirit bow with a QAD rest, BeeStinger stabilizers, and a HHA sight. So far, I have not taken less than a 3rd place in any tournament I have entered. 2017 I was really excited to win the MAA Voyageur Cup in Rogers. MN. This year so far I have placed 2nd at the IOWA PRO AM and hope to continue winning with the patience and understanding of Rick Rugroden and R-Strings and Cables. Thank You for the opportunity to be part of your junior shooting Staff. |
Zoie Thompson - Junior Staff Shooter
I started shooting archery three years ago when I was given a bow for Christmas by my grandparents. With a lot of hard work, coaching and encouragement from Rick I have come to love the sport. I started competing in April of 2016 and haven’t skipped a beat since. I am addicted to archery! I enjoy field archery the most and also set a new MAA state record last year in field, hunter and animal. Some of my accomplishments are: 2nd place-MSAA Indoor (2016) 1st place-MAA/NFAA State Indoor (2016 and 2017) 1st place- MSAA State Field (2016) 1st place-MAA State Field (2016) 3rd place- MSAA 900 (2016) 2nd place-MSAA 3D (2016) 2nd place-NFAA Field Sectionals (2016) 3rd place- Iowa Pro-Am (2017) 1st place- MAA All State Vegas (2017) 1st place- NFAA Midwest Sections (2017) 5th place at NFAA Nationals (2017) I am shooting R-strings and Cables and have been extremely happy with them. I will continue to support Rick and his company because he has always been so supportive of me. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better than Rick to teach me (and my parents) everything we need to know about archery. He is always ready, available and willing to help in any way possible. Without Rick’s support and guidance I wouldn’t be the shooter I am today. |
Kenny Hinton - Target Staff Shooter
I have been shooting for 4 years and I am a target staff shooter for R Strings & Cables and Bullseye Archery. With the help of Mark Franklin, Jack Moulton and Rick Rugroden I have improved so much since starting archery. I have shot R-Strings from the beginning and will continue to use them. Equipment: OK Absolute, Sure Loc, Alpha Omega stabilizers, OK blade rest. |
Aiden Wersal - Junior Staff Shooter
In 2014, I began shooting archery with a longbow as a hobby in my backyard. Three years later I joined the Forsyth County 4-H Archery team in Cumming, GA. My first recurve bow was a Samick Sage takedown bow which I used to compete in my first 4-H tournaments as a barebow shooter. Soon after that, I bought a sight and stabilizers and placed 2nd in the Georgia State 4-H tournament as an Olympic recurve shooter. Over the past two years I have made numerous podium finishes and have had the opportunity to spread the sport of archery to the community. I have also been able to meet and work with several level 5 USA Archery coaches and top-level archers. I look forward to furthering my skills as an archer and to spreading my knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport to others. Current Equipment Bow Hoyt Formula Excel riser Hoyt Formula Excel 35# limbs Cartel Maxion stabilizers Axcel Achieve RXL sight R-Strings & Cables bow string Limb Savers harmonic dampeners Arrows Carbon Express Nano SST 600 spine Easton Eclipse 2014 spine Other Equipment Avalon Tec-One finger tab Easton Bone armguard Olympic Recurve Accomplishments Georgia Competed in the Junior re-curve division during the 2017 and 2018 seasons for the Forsyth County 4-H and USA Archery JOAD teams. Awarded the 2017 Most Dedicated Archer award from Forsyth County 4-H. Placed 2nd in the 2017 State of Georgia 4-H Outdoor tournament. Placed 1st in the 2018 State of Georgia 4-H Indoor tournament. Placed 1st in the 2018 State of Georgia 4-H Outdoor tournament. o The Forsyth County Junior team (4 archers) also placed 2nd overall in the State outdoor tournament. Placed 1st in the 2018 Jackson County indoor tournament. Placed 1st in the 2018 Jackson County outdoor tournament. Placed 1st in the 2018 Morgan County indoor tournament. Placed 2nd in the 2018 Morgan County outdoor tournament. Placed 2nd in the 2018 Georgia Archery Association’s State indoor tournament. Awarded the 2018 Male Archer of the Year award from Forsyth County 4H. Minnesota Number one seed for the MSAA qualifier. Placed 1st in the 2019 MSAA State Championship YMNAA division. Placed 1st in the 2019 MAA JOAD State Championship Cadet Male division. USA Archery USA Archery JOAD achievement pins earned: green, purple, grey, white, black, blue, red, and yellow |
Madeline Wersal - Junior Staff Shooter
I purchased my first bow, a wooden takedown, in October of 2016 and starts shooting barebow. The spring of 2017 I switched to Olympic recurve and purchased a Hoyt that summer. The fall of 2017 I joined our county’s 4-H team, which included Josef Scarboro and Rachel Carlisle. I start competing that winter. I have competed against Ashley Pincus, Adam Heidt, Josef Scarboro, Rachel Carlisle, and others. A member of both USA Archery and NFAA plus two state archery associations, I am very active in promoting Olympic recurve. People will ask me for equipment recommendations. I hope to start competing Nationally this summer. I also will be working with Linda Beck on a monthly basis. Equipment Hoyt Formula Excel Easton A/C/E Axcel RXL Sight Hoyt 720 limbs Carbon Express Predators AAE KSL Tab Limbsaver Broadband Infitec Nexus Edge 3 Stabilizer Sponsors I’m currently sponsored by the following companies: Vanguard Optics R-Strings and Cables Axcel Podium Finishes 2nd place Jackson County Indoor 2017 1st place Jackson County Outdoor 2018 1st place FITA Team GA 4-H State Outdoor 2018 1st place Overall Team GA 4-H State Outdoor 2018 3rd place FITA Team 4-H National Shooting Sports Championships 2018 4th place 3-d Team 4-H National Shooting Sports Championships 2018 4th place Field Team 4-H National Shooting Sports Championships 2018 4th place Overall Team 4-H National Shooting Sports Championships 2018 2nd place Regional 300 Qualifier 2019 3rd place MN Joad Indoor 2019 3rd place MN Joad Team Indoor 2019 2nd Place MSAA Indoor Tournament Forsyth County 4-H Archer of the Year 2018 |
George Olson - Target Staff Shooter
Hi my name is George Olson. I am 17 years old and from Mounds View MN. I have been shooting target archery for about 2 years now and just shooting in general for 6 years. Currently I am involved in two JOAD programs, Rapids JOAD and Granite City JOAD. I am taking lessons from Linda Beck who is a level 5 coach. Here is the equipment that I am using now ● Hoyt Prevail 40 SVX cams ● Axcel Carbon Achieve sight ● Speciality scope and peep ● Vaportrail Limbdriver Rest ●R-Strings and Cables R-R-sRis ● Easton Contour CS stabilizers ● GoldTip Arrows ● Tru-Ball G.O.A.T release This setup has worked wonders for me. Now it’s just about getting my form down. For Indoor JOAD I have my bronze olympian pin and will be going for silver this next year. I haven't been shooting outdoor JOAD very long but I am working on getting my silver olympian pin also. My USAT ranking is low because I haven’t done many USA archery tournaments. The 50m USAT tournaments are definitely not my forte so this next coming up year I am planning on shooting ASA tournaments and trying to shoot as much 3D and field as possible . Tournament wise I have been getting more and more serious with those. I am also part of the North Central Elite Archery team led by Linda Beck. As far as local tournaments go I am planning on doing as many of those as I can this year. I am shooting two leagues this year at rapids archery club. A 450 Vegas league and a standard 5 spot league. My average score on the 450 Vegas face is 448-450 with some number of X’s. On the 5 spot I normally shoot 300 with 55-60 X’s. I know most people my age are trying to get onto the compound junior dream team but at this point in my career I don’t see it being able to benefit me besides the extra coaching I would get from it. My training plan going into the off season is basically just making sure that I eat healthy and make sure I lift weights 5-6 days a week. I bought a super nice bale and will use it to shoot blank bale indoors when I can’t find a place to shoot at 20 yards. My form has been getting better and better but my draw length is the biggest thing that I need to get right. Right now it’s at 31 ¼ and now that I have changed my form it shifted my shoulders it needs to go out another half inch. This past year I only went to 2 national tournaments and I placed about the same at them. I shot both indoor and outdoor JOAD nationals and placed about 35th at both of those. For field and 3D this year it was just local tournaments besides the sectional one for field, but I was able to take 1st place in all four 3D shoots and I took first in field sectional and state shoots. I will be a senior in high school this coming year. I have looked into a few colleges but I haven’t made any commitments yet. I have looked at Mount Marty in Yankton South Dakota and Union College in Kentucky. 2018 TOURNAMENTS ● NFAA Field sections 1st place ● NFAA Field state 1st place ● Sherburne Country classic 3D shoot 1st place ● Spring fever 3D shoot 1st place ● MSAA state 3D shoot 1st place ● Outdoor Joad nationals 33rd place ● Indoor Joad nationals 44th place ● Iowa Pro-am 9th place 2019 TOURNAMENTS ● USA indoor nationals ● Iowa pro-am 13th place ● Las Vegas shoot 33rd place ● ASA Ft.Benning 12th place ● ASA Paris 16th place ● Sherburne County classic 6th place ● ASA London 11th place I will be attending ● NFAA field nationals ● ASA Metropolis ● MAA Voyageur cup ● NFAA Target nationals |
Hannah Neigebauer - Target Staff Shooter
I started shooting archery when I was five years old with the helpful guidance from Rick. Since then, I have placed in various tournaments such as the Iowa Pro Am, World Archery Festival, and the Minnesota State Archery Association Tournament. I also shot for the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point where I placed 7th in the outdoor national tournament and received All Academic and All American honors. When I’m not shooting at a target face, I like to bow hunt deer, bears, and turkeys while finding time to fish as well. I am currently using a Hoyt Pro Edge Elite for targets, and a Hoyt Carbon Spyder for hunting. Rick makes a high quality product and is very knowledgeable with a wide range of equipment. I have had R Strings and Cables on all my bows in the past and will continue to use them in the future. |
DeShante' Coleman - Target Staff Shooter
NFAA Professional Archer, OK Archery, DST 40 Renegade, 305 fps, A1 Archery Staff Shooter |
Nathan Warr - Target Staff Shooter
47 years old Member of Southampton Archery Club in Hampshire UK Started recurve target archery in 2007 on a beginners course. Did OK but got a bit fed up. Bought a Hoyt Rampage XT compound in 2012 and never looked back. Back then I was the only person in my club shooting compound. I taught myself to shoot from scratch as nobody there knew anything about compound. I taught myself to tune it and began to see some good scores. I eventually won some local competitions. Bought an OK Absolute 38 in 2014 and currently own 2 Absolute 40's. One for indoors and one for outdoors. Started having string problems with my factory OK Archery strings. Did some research and came across R strings and Cables. The reviews sounded good so I bought a set and fitted them to my bow. The serving separation issue I had has never come back. I can honestly say that they are superior quality to to factory ones. Currently ranked 4th in my county (HAMPSHIRE) Current WA1440 personal best is 1367 individual metric PB's 90M 334 70M 350 50M 346 30M 360 Classified as Master Bowman in 2018. This classification puts me in the top 3% of all compound Senior Gents in the country. |
Bill VanVorst - Target Staff Shooter
My name is William "Bill" VanVorst, I have began shooting archery in 2009 while living in North Carolina. I had started off shooting 3D tournaments, and have been hooked on archery ever since. In 2010, I met Rick, after moving to Minnesota when a set of factory strings failed mid-shoot. I have been shooting the strings made by R-Stings & Cables ever since on every bow I've owned. I would travel around to shoots locally whenever I could, shooting as many shoots as I could before we ended up moving back to North Carolina. Moving back in late 2014, I joined the DC Archery Club and started to learn about spot shooting. My first big spot tournament was the 2016 Iowa Pro AM. A few short months later I placed 1st in my flight for my first ever MSAA state shoot. During that summer I started shooting the outdoor NFAA archery tournaments, the MAA state tournament, and other local shoots. The equipment I use is: OK Archery DST40 with R-Strings & Cables set up. SURE-LOC sight, with specialty archery double vision scope Trophy Taker Blade rest Sherwd stablizers Hedog archery cam protector Easton X27s T.R.U. Falcrom and Abyss |
Cary Holmgren - Target Staff Shooter
I have been shooting Archery since 1985. I have shot many different bows and many different tournaments. I've had the pleasure to shoot with many great people and made a lot of lasting friendships over the years. My current setup is a Hoyt Podium 37, Acel sight and scope, Truball release, Fuse blade stabilizer and Easton arrows. I have been shooting R-Strings and Cables for a year now. Through the rain, wind and heat these strings preformed awesome. It has been my best year in archery yet. Can't wait for this next year to get started. |
George Hinton - Target Staff Shooter
I am a target staff shooter for R-Strings & Cables and Bullseye Archery. I have been shooting for 15 years and have used R-Strings since the beginning and will continue to use them. I have been a staff shooter with a variety of shops and used many different bows but have stayed true to R-Strings through it all. I shoot 3D, target, indoor spot, and hunt. I have trained with Rick from the beginning and it has helped me out to become better at a sport I love. Equipment: OK Smoke, Vapor Trail Blade X rest, Sure Loc, and Alpha Omega stabilizers. |
Ryan Schrempp - Target Staff Shooter
My name is Ryan Schrempp and I am a Target Staff Shooter for R-Strings and Cables. I started shooting Target Archery in 2016. I was fortunate enough to place first in my flight at my very first MSAA State Indoor Tournament in 2017. I shoot Indoor, 3-D, Field, outdoor target as well as bowhunt. My favorite bowhunting memory was shooting my first wild hog on a trip down to Texas. I feel extremely lucky to have met Rick as he has taught me just about everything I know in the world of archery. I have shot R-Strings and Cables on my target and hunting bows for a couple years now. I have tried out a few different string companies and I can honestly say that R-Strings and Cables are the most durable, consistent, and longest lasting strings I have ever shot. If you are looking for a truly top quality string & cable set that is handmade with meticulous attention to detail, you need to get a set of R-Strings and Cables! |
Mike Ryan - Target Staff Shooter
Hello, my name is Mike Ryan. I've been shooting since the time we made our own bows with a branch and a twine string. I started hunting in 1969, with a 55lb Ben Pearson and wood arrows. The degree of accuracy was not something we'd brag about. In 1973 I shot my first league, there were no compounds in the league. From that point I was addicted to the whole archery world, competition, family friendly social environment, and all the equipment advancements. I am proud to be a member of the archery family. Archery has given me many opportunities, such as shooting the NFAA National Indoor tournament, many MSAA and MAA tournaments in different locations, and last year the Vegas shoot. Some accomplishments that have come my way over the years include: NFAA Nationals, 2nd place finish, and two times 3rd place finish Las Vagas, a first flight finish with 300-300-297 MSAA, 27 State Championships 6 Grand Championships Numerous 2nd and 3rd place finishes MAA, 8 State Championships Iowa Pro Am, 5 Championships 1 2nd Place 1 3rd Place State Records in the MSAA 300 Round 900 Round FITA Round Field Round I am happy to be on the R-Strings Staff. I have known Rick for a long time and respect his knowledge and experience in all things archery. I also respect his contributions to the Youth programs and his tireless effort to insure the success of their club. I can see his personality, and quest for perfection in every string he makes. |
Tim Fierke - Bowhunting Staff Shooter
I have been shooting bows and bowhunting since 1988, taking my first animal, a whitetail doe, the following year. I've been hooked on archery and bowhunting ever since. Thanks to a very understanding spouse, I have hunted whitetail deer, mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, Quebec-Labrador caribou, black bears and 2 species of turkeys. I was very lucky to take a large male coyote while deer hunting in Iowa a couple years ago. I have bow hunted in 6 states and Canada. In the off season, I enjoy target & 3-D archery, running, bowfishing and preparing for the next hunting season! My wife, Julie also enjoys shooting target and bowfishing with me. I have shot R-Strings since the inception of the company, and never, ever had any issues with my strings and cables. The help and support I have received from Rick is immeasurable. No matter what bow I am shooting on the range or in the woods, R-Strings are on it! 
Tom Johnson
I am a long time MSAA member(35+ yrs), MAA member, (since inception), NFAA member (25+ yrs), US Archery member, IBO member, ASA member, North Dakota Bowhunters Foundation member and standing member. I’m also one of the founding members of the Lakes Area Archers. I have 9 NFAA National Championships in Barebow and Traditional shooting styles. I currently hold two national records. I have over 60 MSAA and MAA state championships, I also have won a number of North Dakota State Championships. I also have many MN and ND state records. |
