Gold Tip’s Levi Morgan Wins Third Consecutive IBO World Championship
OutdoorHub 08.15.12
Keeping his winning streak alive, current 2012 IBO National Champion, Levi Morgan, completed his year with a win at the 2012 IBO World Championships. This was Morgan’s third consecutive World IBO title and his fourth, overall, in the last six years since beginning his career on the IBO tour.
“I haven’t had much time to let it soak in,” said Morgan. “The whole weekend was just a roller coaster of ups and downs. Competition was tough and I traded places with one or two other shooters all weekend, the pressure was always on and the weather sure didn’t help any.”
The World Championship was held August 8-11 at the Seven Springs Ski Resort, in Seven Springs, PA. Ski lifts chauffeured participants to the top of the hill and they shot their way back down the hill on a course that offered steep angles and heavy winds, with gusts up to 20 mph not uncommon. Many failed to complete Thursday’s opening round of 20 targets due to rain and had to complete their round Friday morning.
“The rain was a big factor,” Morgan said. “I was on a streak and had hit seven 11’s in a row during that opening round; I was really seeing targets, but then the rain kicked in and washed me out at 16 targets. I had to complete the final four targets of my first round Friday morning, and that hurts you when you can’t find your rhythm. “
Friday’s scheduled second round was a complete washout for all competitors and Morgan found himself one point behind the leader after the first 20 targets. However, after the second round, which was held over until Saturday, Morgan picked up a one-point lead on the field. The top five scores from the first two rounds made the cut and headed into the final 10 target shoot off that had been pushed into Sunday due to weather. In all, 8 shooters in the men’s Pro Division made the final round, of which four were Gold Tip Pro Staffers: Levi Morgan, Tommy Gomez, Tim Gillingham, and Jack Wallace.
With the final four targets left in the shoot off, Morgan found himself down an almost insurmountable three points, but he came through with three 11’s in a row to tie for the lead going into the final target – a 3D wolf set at approximately 48 yards.
“It was a really tough final target, set back at what ended being about 48 yards and almost hidden in the shadows,” said Morgan. “But I knew going into it, that even in a tie I’d pull it out with more 11’s for the overall competition.”
Morgan, knowing a 10 would win, watched his final Gold Tip Pro X-Cutter find the 10 ring. With 25 overall 11’s to his closest competitor’s 21 overall 11’s, Morgan was crowned the 2012 IBO World Champion for a third consecutive year. Gold Tip’s Tommy Gomez finished in 3rd place.
“We couldn’t be happier to see Levi cap off a fantastic year shooting for Gold Tip with this World Championship. It is also satisfying to know that when it comes to that last shot with a World Championship on the line, more and more pros have confidence in Gold Tip arrows,” said Tom Zelenovic, CEO of Gold Tip. “This season, we didn’t just have 1 or 2 Pro Staffers that had success each tournament, but multiple shooters in the top 5 throughout the year. It’s been incredible!”
