In January 2006, at the age of 13, Bradford resident Zach
Sostakowski took his first shot with a compound bow. Immediately,
not only did he find his passion, but he realized he found his
talent.

With just seven months of practice, Sostakowski was shooting in
the Youth International Bowhunter Organization World Championship
Archery Competition in Snowshoe Mountain, W.Va.

Amazingly, he took 18th place against 42 of the world’s best
shooters.

“Right from the start, this was the most competitive shoot you
can be in,” Sostakowski said. “You are shooting against the best
kids from all over the world. That’s what makes it such a
challenge.”

In 2007, Sostakowski found himself competing against the best
youth shooters in the state at the Pennsylvania Youth State
Championship.

He knew he wasn’t the most experienced shooter, but he knew what
he was capable of doing. After the shoot ended and the scores were
tallied, Sostakowski was awarded second place in the state.

“I felt I did really well,” Sostakowski commented. “It was a
good day of shooting.”

Then, just a year after the state championship, Sostakowski won
his first competition at the Three Across Challenge in
Clearfield.

“It was an exciting competition,” Sostakowski said. “It was
great to win one. It showed that my hard work was paying off.”

Recently, Sostakowski took eighth place in the first leg of the
National Triple Crown in Bedford, Ind., just this past month.

“I had a lot of fun,” Sostakowski claimed. “I really felt
confident going into the competition that I would finish in the top
10.”

At this point in time, in national shooting events, Sostakowski
has a seventh place finish in the 2008 World IBO Championship and a
10th place finish in the 2007 second leg of the National Triple
Crown.

Now at the age of 15, Sostakowski has had 10 top 20 finishes in
world and national shoots.

Sostakowski has bigger goals he has yet to achieve.

“In the future, I want to become a professional archery
shooter,” Sostakowski stated. “Someday I want to compete with all
the pros that I have watched and talked to over the past couple of
years.

“It has been amazing to compete against so many people in all of
these shoots. I feel like I accomplished a lot.”

Some of Sostakowski’s other hobbies are hunting, fishing and
four-wheeler riding. He loves to be outdoors. But competitive
archery shooting is very special to him.

“I love competitive archery shooting because you get to travel
all over the United States and meet people from many different
places,” Sostakowski noted.

Although it seems that Sostakowski is born with talent, he feels
his success comes from a lot of practice and having some excellent
teachers.

“I practice as much as I can. My parents, grandparents and Dan
Williams (owner of S&S Archery) have helped me out a lot,”
Sostakowski added. “Every time I shoot with someone I learn
something from them.”

Another big part of Sostakowski’s success is the equipment he
uses and the sponsors that help with the cost of equipment and
travel.

“I shoot with Hoyt bows. They are very accurate,” Sostakowski
mentioned. “I want to thank all of my sponsors. They have really
helped me a lot.”

For those who are unfamiliar with competitive archery, the sport
is extremely challenging. Not only are there great shooters to
compete against, but some of the shots can be very difficult.

“You have to be able to shoot accurately at 50 yards. I have had
to make shots at moving targets at 35 to 40 yards,” Sostakowski
explained.

In the future, Sostakowski plans on competing in the IBO World
Championships and the three legs of the National Triple Crown.