Whether they’re in the woods or on the podium, Hoyt’s Pro Shooters represent Hoyt to the fullest. And Hoyt.com is the only place where you’ll find behind-the-scenes info about their recent success stories, their travels, their favorite Hoyt bows and accessories, and other details that any true Hoyt fan needs to know.
HOYT: What Hoyt bow are you currently shooting? What do you like best about it?
ALICIA: I'm shooting a 737 with the Cam and 1/2 for ASA, and an UltraElite with Spiral Cams for IBO. I'm also shooting the UltraElite with Spiral Cams for field and target rounds. I like the UltraElite with Spiral Cams for the speed, as I'm not sacraficing any accuracy with a short axle length bow. I like the 737 for ASA because I can shoot a heavier arrow for windy conditions and still shoot around 280 fps.
HOYT: Your 2009 season is off to a great start, with wins in Gainesville and Hattiesburg. Tell us what it was like to win back-to-back ASA tournaments.
ALICIA: It's always exciting to win back to back tournaments, especially winning the first two shoots of the year. Living in Pennsylvania, I don't have the opportunity to get out and shoot over the winter break, so I don't really expect to do well at the first few shoots.
HOYT: You also had a great year in 2008. Which tournaments did you win last year?
ALICIA: I won ASA Hattiesburg, ASA Augusta, ASA London, ASA Metropolis, and IBO Bedford.
HOYT: It no doubt takes a lot of hard work and dedication to shoot at the level that you’re shooting. To what do you attribute your success?
ALICIA: A lot of practice and a little bit of luck! I've been shooting a bow since I was about five years old. I started traveling to national tournaments in 1995 - competing in the youth female class. I turned professional in 1999 when I was 18. I have a strong mind and I'm disciplined in making every shot a good shot.
HOYT: How do you prepare for a tournament? How much time do you spend shooting before a tournament?
ALICIA: I try to get out and just range targets as much as I can between tournaments. I will also shoot 50 yards at my bag target to keep my form. Also, I try to get to the tournaments a little early to shoot the practice animals to get used to the lay of the land and what the targets look like at a particular yardage.
HOYT: Which tournaments are you most looking forward to throughout the rest of your 2009 season?
ALICIA: I look forward to the world championships and the shooter of the year titles. I've won the ASA Shooter of the Year title six times out of my nine-year professional career. I also have seven world titles and five national titles that I hope to add to in the future.
HOYT: Who got you started in archery? Do you coach or train any younger shooters?
ALICIA: My dad, Todd Shultz, got me started in archery. He would take me with him to local shoots when I was young and I just took an interest in the sport. He also involved the rest of my family in archery (grandfather Larry Shultz, grandmother Rosemary Shultz, stepmother Sue Shultz, and step siblings Bryant and Kelsey Johnson). My husband, Dennis, also competes in national
tournaments. I have coached a few shooters, young and old, and I'm currently coaching my nephew.
HOYT: You seem so calm and collected during the shoot-down rounds. How do you keep your nerves in check?
ALICIA: I think experience is the only thing that can calm your nerves in shoot-down rounds. Focusing strictly on making the shot and knowing you can make the shot to win helps too.