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Tragedy to Triumph By Peggy Dover Jul 31, 2022 12:00 AM A A Michael Salvestrin is no ordinary archer. I’ve followed his trajectory on Facebook for years. Recently, we met at Dewclaw Archery’s great new facility off Highway 62 on Justice Road in Medford. Michael’s life was in peril from the beginning. “I was born in La Grande, Oregon, with the birth defect spina bifida and was life-flighted to OHSU Doernbecher. I turned 24 hours old on the operating table and spent over 20 days in the NICU (newborn intensive care unit).” Three surgeries spared him, and Michael has lived most of his 30 years in a wheelchair — a deterrent that hasn’t stopped him from achieving his goals, and then some. With unfailing support from his parents, Perry and Carolyn, and many friends and supporters, Michael is winning. At his high school graduation, he walked to receive his diploma. “I have my bachelor’s in marketing, with a music minor from Southern Oregon University, and was a member of their guitar ensemble,” he said. “I was a member of the international Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity.” He’s also a certified archery coach, and you’ll find him at every Medford Rogues game. Archery has played a significant role in his life. Michael refers to it as the “great equalizer,” because anyone is able to compete side by side — able-bodied pros and beginners alike. He emphasized the point by mentioning the current world champion, Matt Stutzman, an armless archer who uses his feet. I asked Michael what first drew him to the sport. “You know, it’s sort of like the Bob Ross happy-accident sort of thing. Back in third grade, I was signed up to do the 4-H small bore, 22s, rifle and pistol, but they weren’t ready to start. I got a call from one of the leaders saying ‘Hey, in the meantime, while you’re waiting, there’s an archery club that’s signing up.’” Michael took second in his first competition after just three practices. He was hooked. Since then, he’s gained professional support from sponsors like Dewclaw Archery. “So, back when I was in 4-H, Don and Shirley Pritchett owned Dewclaw. It was one of the local shops that supported 4-H teams. Skookum Ridge in Prospect was the main 4-H supporter. Years passed, and I made friends with Matt Blaschka, current owner and son of the people who bought Dewclaw from the Pritchetts. “One day Matt startled the daylights out of me. I’m getting ready to pack in, and he’s like, ‘Hey, I need to talk with you.’ He hands me a paper and it says ‘pro staff contract.’ So, I shoot for these guys now. I consider it an honor to shoot for Matt. “This shop is the best in the business. Also, a friend got me hooked up with Arrow Tech Archery, so they supply my arrows.” I saw that Michael had competed in the Sherwood Nottingham Tournament. Images of Errol Flynn as Robin Hood and his band of merry men floated through my brain. I had to investigate. “The Sherwood Nottingham Tournament started in 1956 between Sherwood, Oregon and Nottingham, England,” he explained. “Nottingham does their tournament first in England. They shoot their scores at the beginning of the summer and compile their best. The top eight make up that country’s team. “Same for the States. We shot our tournament in July. The majority of it is recurve (Robin Hood style) rather than compound bows. I and the other shooters who made the U.S. team were the only compound shooters there. They filled 19 bales (targets) with at least three shooters each.” When Sylvan Archers, the people running the tournament, released the scores, Michael learned he’d taken sixth place overall. He added, “From my understanding, I’m not only the first person in a wheelchair to compete, but now to actually make the team.” He was bestowed his medals by the Maid Marian court of lovely young ladies. And the silver bowl trophy remains on this side of the pond. A side note: Michael recently was let go from a three-year job in customer relations at a local communications company. I’m happy to pass along any job offers. Thank you, Michael, for showing us how it’s done. Peggy Dover is a freelance writer/author who shot an arrow into the air. Reach her at [email protected].