“My father introduced me to archery at a very young age. I basically grew up with a bow in my hand. I remember that when my dad came home from hunting, I was always so excited to see if he’d killed anything. The moment he took me with him, I was hooked for life.” This is how Brian Rusher found his love of archery, and over 10 years later, he’s still living in it. “My dad had the biggest impact on my archery career. Without him, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now with a bow.”
Brian utilizes the Conquest 4, Conquest Apex 8, and the Monster 7.0 for competition. He also uses a Z7 for hunting purposes. He competes in the Open Pro division and these are some of his recent accomplishments:
- 2011 – IBO National Triple Crown Championship – 23rd
- 2011 – IBO 2nd Leg National Triple Crown – 23rd
- 2011 – IBO 3rd Leg National Triple Crown – 23rd
- 2010 – IBO National Triple Crown Championship – 1st
- 2010 – IBO 1st Leg National Triple Crown – 3rd
- 2010 – IBO 2nd Leg National Triple Crown – 1st
- 2010 – IBO 3rd Leg National Triple Crown – 4th
- 2009 – IBO National Triple Crown Championship – 4th
- 2009 – IBO 1st Leg National Triple Crown – 4th
- 2009 – IBO 3rd Leg National Triple Crown – 2nd
- 2008 – IBO National Triple Crown Championship – 7th
Brian started shooting as a youth, and now he spends much of his time trying to introduce what his father had introduced to him, to other youths. Every year he helps with a program called Kicking Bear, founded by Ray Howell. He helps with the Indiana Chapter located in Southern Indiana. The program is a tool used to help introduce youth to the outdoors and archery. It is a tremendous success and continues to grow every year. He also participates in the Greene County Chapter of Farmers and Hunters Feed the Hungry (FHFH), which raises money to process deer meat at the local butcher shop and send it to food banks across the county to feed needy families.
So, aside from archery, what’s important to Brian Rusher? “Jesus Christ first and foremost, then my children and family. After them comes softball, hunting white-tail deer (the excitement that comes from sitting in a stand on a frosty morning in the mid-west when the deer comes walking into range after all that hard work you’ve put in, is priceless), bow-fishing, fishing, guitar, working out, and just about anything else I spend my time on.”
Brian’s advice to any new archers is to set goals you can reach. By doing that, you taste success. Set the next goal a little higher, and so on. After achieving them often, all you’ll remember is the success you had and that will translate into everything else!
Brian Rusher’s personal testimony regarding Mathews bows and Zebra strings:
“Mathew’s bows are smooth, quiet, fast, and accurate- I couldn’t ask for anything else out of a bow. And no matter the weather conditions or terrain, I can always count on my Zebra strings to perform the same, day in and day out!”
And a parting word of wisdom: “A bad day of shooting or hunting is better than a good day at work!”
