Claps on target with archery

CEDAR RAPIDS - Archery can be family fun. Just ask the Claps family of Marion. 

Tom Claps, his daughters, Eliana and Alexa, son Jadon and his wife, Mira, all share a fondness for the sport, training and competing together. 

All three children and Tom will participate in the Iowa games in Ames this weekend. The opening ceremony kicks off the biggest of the three-weekend event, beginning with a Parade of Athletes at 7:45 p.m. Friday. 

Tom was at the forefront of the family's involvement in the sport, returning to archery and bowhunting about five years ago while the family lived in Seattle, Wash. Eliana and Alexa caught the fever after observing their dad shoot. Now, it's an activity the entire family enjoys. 

"It's an activity that lends itself well to the whole family," Mira Claps said. "It's fun family time." 

The sport has really taken off with 11-year-old Eliana and 9-year-old Alexa, who began shooting at age 7 and 5, respectively. They started with a basic plastic bow that their father bought them. Now they shoot an Olympic-style recurve bow, which they began using after joining the Junior Olympic Archery Development program in Washington state. 

Their love for archery has blossomed with goals of competing on the world's biggest stage. Someday, the Iowa Games entrants could be trying to top international foes. 

"In fact, there's a JOAD Dream team that they're aspiring to be invited to get to be on, so they can get even more disciplined coaching that's consistent with the kids getting groomed for later on in the Olympics," Tom Claps said. "Both girls have interest in going to the Olympics." 

Mira Claps joked that as the family moved from Washington to California to Iowa that archery has been the one constant for the family. It was while in California the girls were introduced to Janet Dykman, an archery team member on the 1996 and 2000 Olympic teams. She helped them develop their skills. 

"Janet, being in the Olympics, was able to get them to a point where they were getting some good form," Tom Claps said. "It was in California where the kids started shooting tournaments." 

It's produced success in their fledgling careers. Eliana and Alexa have set indoor and outdoor records in California and their brief time in Iowa. 

Last weekend, the Claps competed in the state field shoot in Waverly. Eliana and Jadon both placed first with Alexa finishing runner-up to her older sister. In that event, Eliana and Jadon both set shooting records. 

Eliana and Alexa also competed at the JOAD National meet in Des Moines at the end of June. Eliana earned a bronze and then claimed a silver in the Olympic round. Alexa just missed a bronze medal in the Olympic round, falling short in a shootout. The experiences have produced plenty of enjoyment for the entire family, who bond through archery. 

"They're setting records, having fun and taking home medals," said Tom Claps, who has joined the Waltonian Archers. "It's a lot of fun when we come home after a weekend that every kid has a medal." 

Eliana and Alexa compete in the same category. They don't necessarily have a sibling rivalry but both want to finish higher than anyone else. 

"They rival each other," Tom Claps said. "At nationals, they didn't know what their scores were but I was watching on the board who was in front and behind and how they swapped. 

"They're competitive from the standpoint that they want to shoot well." 

As the girls honed their skills during JOAD sessions in Washington, Mira sought a way to fight the monotony of watching their practices. She decided to "fling arrows" along with her daughters. 

"I was sitting there with my son, who was 3, getting bored just watching them shoot," Mira Claps said. "It looked like it was fun, so as my son got a little bit older and was able to entertain himself while he sat in the back, I decided it was time for me to pick up a bow and give it a shot."

The sport's grip on the family took a stranglehold when Jadon picked up a bow. The 6-year-old shoots a barebow, which Tom Claps said is a recurve bow without sights. He has a similar affection for the activity, showing promise by setting state records in his age group.

"He just wants to hit something," Tom Claps said. "He likes it." 

The Claps are newcomers to Iowa, living in Marion for about a year. They missed being able to compete in last year's Iowa Games, which is billed as Iowa's largest amateur sports festival. 

Eliana and Alexa are entered in the Olympic Freestyle Limited Cub 11-and-under competition for females. Jadon will compete in the Barebow (target) Cub 11-and-under event for boys, while Tom is signed up for the men's Freestyle Adult 18-54. Mira has decided not to compete to help support her son for one of his biggest competitions to date. The Claps are excited to experience the event. 

"It's the first time we've done the Iowa Games," Tom Claps said. "I'm interested to see what it's all about."