Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz Province – Archers from across Santa Cruz Province have earned their spots to represent the region at the upcoming Juegos de Integración Patagónica (Patagonian Integration Games). A provincial qualifying tournament recently concluded, determining the athletes who will compete in Tierra del Fuego this April. The competition showcased a growing interest in archery, particularly among women, according to local organizers.
The qualifying event, held February 27th at the Centro Chileno in Río Gallegos, drew participants from Río Gallegos, Puerto Deseado, and Puerto Santa Cruz. Athletes competed across several categories – Sub 17 and Sub 15 for both male and female competitors, as well as a category for athletes with disabilities (PCD). The final roster will be solidified after a second round of competition on March 7th.
Sub 17 Standouts Lead the Way
In the Sub 17 male division, Mateo Scorza of Río Gallegos topped the leaderboard with a score of 465 points, securing his place on the provincial team. José Francisco Lobones, representing Puerto Deseado, finished as the alternate with a score of 393 points. TiempoSur reported on the results of the competition.
Amparo De María also impressed in the Sub 17 female category, achieving a score of 545 points. De María’s performance builds on her previous success, having already earned a first-place finish at the national level in last year’s Juegos Evita. Malena Gallego of Puerto Deseado will serve as the alternate, having scored 353 points. The growing participation of women in the sport was highlighted by organizers, noting a higher number of female competitors in the Sub 17 and Sub 15 divisions.
Young Talent Shines in Sub 15 Competition
Martina Stiep of Río Gallegos emerged victorious in the Sub 15 female division, posting a score of 443 points. Mía Mailen Sanabria from Puerto Santa Cruz will be the alternate, with a score of 406 points. Lucio Ojeda of Puerto Santa Cruz automatically qualified for the Sub 15 male division as the sole participant in that category.
PCD Division Sees Direct Qualification
In the PCD (Personas con Discapacidad) divisions, Ángel Morales of Río Gallegos qualified directly in the male category, also due to being the only participant. Pilar Espinoza, also from Río Gallegos, secured her spot in the female PCD division through direct qualification for the same reason. The inclusion of the PCD category demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity within the sport.
Preparing for the Juegos de Integración Patagónica
These athletes will now represent Santa Cruz Province at the Juegos de Integración Patagónica in Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, this April. The Games are designed to foster athletic development and regional cooperation among young athletes. Organizers expressed their satisfaction with the level of competition and the dedication shown by all participants during the provincial qualifying event. La Opinión Austral initially reported on the qualifying tournament held in late February.
The success of the archery program in Río Gallegos is largely attributed to the efforts of coach Sergio De María, who has been instrumental in expanding the sport’s reach to people of all ages, and genders. The increasing popularity of archery in the region suggests a bright future for the sport in Santa Cruz Province.
The next step for these athletes is the final qualifying round on March 7th, where they will compete against qualifiers from other localities within Santa Cruz Province to finalize the team roster for the Juegos de Integración Patagónica. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates as the team prepares for competition in Tierra del Fuego.
