Manahawkin College Student Achieves National Record In Archery

MAYS LANDING, NJ — A Manahawkin man who attends Atlantic Cape Community College has earned a national record for USA Archery.

Matthew Byrnes’ record-setting score of 695 out of 720 possible points was made in April during the 50m round of the Eastern Regional Collegiate Championships at James Madison University in Harrisburg, Virginia, according to a news release.

Byrnes, 21, graduated from Southern Regional High School in 2019. He's now in his second year at Atlantic Cape, where he is studying engineering.

Byrnes applied for the record following the competition and heard back earlier this month. USA Archery is the national governing body for the Olympic sport of archery.

“It was a pretty surreal moment for me,” Byrnes said in a statement. “I kind of teared up quite a bit. I’ve had a little bit of success in archery. Through the tournaments I traveled to I’ve done pretty well, but nothing outstanding.”

Atlantic Cape Athletic Director Jamal Edwards commended Byrnes’ dedication to the sport.

“Even with the pandemic he managed to compete at a high level and make history,” Edwards said. “I consider the archery team to be the Buccaneer Athletics' secret weapon. Coach Chad (Affrunti) has done a great job turning his athletes into top-notch archers.”

After college, Byrnes said he would continue his passion for archery.

“I plan on pursuing mechanical engineering and to work within the archery industry one day to design products and make the sport better,” Byrnes said, adding he also wants to compete on the professional circuit.

Atlantic Cape is one of the only Division III junior colleges with an archery program. This year, the Atlantic Cape Buccaneers archery team has 19 members.

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