Blocks and arrows for Schwade

MONROE-While other Monroe-Woodbury football players are anxious to get the 2004 season underway in August Stephen Schwade has other things on his mind. Schwade will represent the United States on July 19-24 in Great Britain as a member of the Junior World Championship Archery team after he qualified for a spot on the team in Salt Lake City on June 7. A freak wrestling injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Schwade. In 2001 he was injured in just his second career match which pushed him harder in archery. "After I got hurt I took a couple of months off and began to get more serious about archery," said Schwade. According to Schwade he found Coach Tony Bignes of Rock Tavern and his career began to take off. The Monroe-Woodbury junior travels to at least 30 tournaments a year and has already made stops in Las Vegas, Lousiville, and Texas since January. All the hard work and travel has paid off as he ranks fifth in the USA among adults in the men's compound. When not on the range, he can be found on the gridiron. He is the starting right guard for perennial powerhouse Monroe-Woodbury. Although a football standout, Schwade prefers archery. ""I like archery more because you have more control," Schwade said. "If you mess up in football someone can help you." However Schwade says if his team was playing in a big football game he would be in the trenches. "Unless it is the world championships I would play football, "he said. "I know people are counting on me." Before he even takes his first test as a senior, Schwade already has decided to attend Virginia's James Madison University where he will compete in varsity archery.