COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The techniques of retired Maryland Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jesse White and other Army archers helped earn four silver medals May 2 during the 2012 Warrior Games at the Air Force Academy here.
"I literally have a sequence of about 20 things I do every time I settle in for the shot. It's to make sure my body and mind is relaxed and ready to go," White said.
White teamed up with retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Ben Trescott and Army Sgt. Justin Steele to earn silver for the Army in the compound bow team competition, and Army Sgt. Fred Prince earned an individual silver medal. Army Staff Sgt. Curtis Winston, retired Sgt. Kinga Kiss-Johnson and Staff Sgt. Al Louangketh garnered silver for the Army's recurve bow archery team and Kiss-Johnson also took second place individually.
The four silvers brought the total medal count for the Army Team at the games to nine.
"I'm very proud of these guys," said Army Archery Coach Steven Coleman. "You can see in their faces and the scores today that they have put in the time and dedication."
Coleman said the archers have not allowed their injuries or illnesses to stop them from competing.
Injury or illness is also not stopping White from also currently competing for a spot on the archery team for the Paralympics.
"Once this is over, I go shoot in July at the National Field Archery Association U.S. Nationals Outdoor Tournament," he said. "I've already met the military requirement, so it is a matter of hitting the events."
White served for 18 years and when he was in Iraq as a wheeled vehicle mechanic, he was wounded by an improvised explosive device. His right ankle was rebuilt four times resulting in his right leg being an inch and a half shorter than his left due to bones being removed, which causes problems with his hip and back. He also had surgery on his neck due to two compressed disks.
White's competitive spirit has helped him deal with the mental side effects of his injuries. Archery is one of White's favorite sports because he finds it to be very calming.
Coleman said the repetitive nature of archery and the ability to train on their own has helped not only White, but all of the team members recover from their injuries and illnesses.
"When I was first injured, [TBI] wasn't an issue; they didn't have the care in place." White said. "Now, the electronic equipment the Army has come up with and the different things that are available are phenomenal."
Soldiers were also scheduled to compete in the Warrior Games for gold in shooting, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, track and field and swimming.