David Hryn

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Archer

In the highly-competitive and highly-demanding sport of archery, Western New York native David Hryn has long demonstrated a focus that has enabled him to rise to the pinnacle of his chosen field. His records, titles, and awards are too numerous to fully recount in this space; still, the following recitation will convey the essence of David’s domination of the sport.

David began to excel soon after taking up archery at age 14. The titles, all in the adult division, began to accumulate four years later, and have flowed unabated since 1973. They include 37 New York Field Archers and Bowhunters Championships (indoor and outdoor combined), 19 National Field Archery Association Mid-Atlantic Section Championships (indoor and outdoor), and 24 New York State Archery Association Championships. David is the current International Field Archery Association champion, current National Archery Association Indoor and Outdoor champion, current and 7-time International Field Archery Association North American Field Archery champion, and current and 4-time National Field Archery Outdoor National champion. Hryn first captured the latter title in 1999 after a long pursuit and many disappointments, and considers that title his most satisfying.

The holder of three International Field Archery Association world outdoor records, as well as 10 IFAA national records, Hryn has been inducted into the New York State Archery Association Hall of Fame (1995) and the New York State Field Archers and Bowhunters Hall of Fame (1979), only the second individual to be so honored by both organizations.

Hryn’s involvement in archery and his contributions to the sport have extended far beyond the competitive arena. David has given back through service in multiple administrative posts, including as National Field Archery Association Director, New York Field Archers and Bowhunters President, and New York State Archery Association Vice-President. In addition, David has achieved recognition as a top coach and instructor from the National Archery and the National Field Archery Associations, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

David is a past recipient of the “Ted Cichocki Memorial Award” (1990), the highest honor bestowed by the Western New York Field Archers and Bowhunters. However, given the paucity of publicity normally reserved for archery, the receipt of this honor, and Hryn’s astonishing record of pure excellence, have unfortunately gone unnoticed by Buffalo sports fans fixated on baseball, football, and hockey. Accordingly, David considers his induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, which places him on a wide public stage before his hometown, a thrill that surpasses all others in his remarkable career.