Leaping Boundaries with KJ Stone
 Editor's Note: Kevin James "KJ" Stone, of Kodak, Tennessee, a member of the U.S. Paralympics Archery National Team and Alpen Outdoors Hunt Team, recently qualified for the Czech Elite Archery Team after competing in the Annual Czech Republic Handi-Cup Series in the eastern Bohemian village of Nove Mesto nad Metuji. If you're wondering how an American qualifies to compete on the Czech Elite Archery Team, read on to learn more about this extraordinary individual whose archery skills leap boundaries.
A 2004 Paralympic Summer Games team medalist and three-time U.S. World Team member, Kevin Stone finished in the Czech Republic with a top score in the Czech Republic Handi-Cup Series. A four-event Czech National Team qualifier, Stone finished the one-day, four-distance event by breaking two U.S. national records at 90 and 70 meters and setting an overall personal best score for any previous competition, making him eligible to qualify for the Czech Elite Archery Team. However, Stone graciously declined this tremendous honor so he could compete for the USA. Stone had been invited by the Czech Paralympics Committee in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Prague to represent the U.S. in this first exchange of goodwill and sportsmanship for the Czech Disabled Sports Club.
"Training with the Czech team during one of their qualifying camps was an unbelievable opportunity, and I'm very proud of my achievements in the final competition," Stone says. Media exchanges, embassy visits and visits to historic towns and landmarks in the area added to the busy seven-day schedule. Stone's positive that his training in this event will better prepare him for the test he's set for himself - making the U.S. Olympic team and competing in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, for an individual medal for the USA.
Kevin James Stone served as a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) in the United States Army's 7th Light Infantry Division until 1987 when a catastrophic injury forced him to retire. After his injury, Stone completed a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and Music Education from Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan. In 1996 and 1997, Stone began competing in shooting sports. He made the U.S. Disabled National & Can-Am Shooting Teams, earning his first national bronze and international gold medals, and has shooting and archery awards too numerous to list. In 2002, Stone was invited to participate in his first Olympic camp to develop his skills in archery, and today, he's a member of the U.S. Paralympics Archery National Team. He has set national and international records, and Alpen Optics is proud to have him as a member of its Pro Shooters Team.
Question: Kevin, how did you end up in the Czech Republic, attempting to qualify for their Elite Archery Team?
 Stone: I was invited by the Czech Paralympics Committee and the U.S. Embassy to come to Prague to train with the Czech National Paralympics Team as well as shoot in their competition. The opportunity to train, eat and live with the Czech Paralympics team for one week was an opportunity I'll never forget. I've always felt that the Czechs were unapproachable, but once I sat down and broke bread with them and tried to learn their language, I found that if you really want to communicate with someone, you can, regardless of where they live. Because of this experience, I've made lifelong friends with members of the Czech National Team. Who would believe that you could go to a foreign country and develop lifelong friendships within a week? But we did.
Question: How in the world did you get this opportunity?
Stone: There was an offer made by the Czech Paralympics Committee for disabled archers to go to the country and train with the team. When I heard this offer, I jumped at the opportunity to go. I thrive on international competition. I like the challenge of going to different countries and shooting under various weather conditions. When I got off the plane after flying for 21 hours, I went straight to the shooting field. Even though I was alone, I was anxious to meet the Czech team and to shoot and compete with them, as well as to be involved with their lives, their customs, learn to communicate with them and eat the local food. This was the trip of a lifetime, since the U.S. Olympics Committee and the U.S. Paralympics Committee chose me as the U.S. shooter to extend the hand of friendship to the Czechs.
Question: You're the current Indoor and Outdoor National Target Champion on the Paralympics Archery National Team, so you'd be a likely choice. How did you learn to communicate while you were there?
Stone: I carried a small tape recorder with me. I kept asking the shooters phrases and words, and I'd record their answers. I first learned "please" and "thank you." Then, I learned, "Can I have some more?" or "No thanks." Next, I learned "Good morning," "Good night," and many other similar phrases. I couldn't have had a greater experience.
Of course, I had my Alpen binoculars with me. I like Alpen binoculars because they're indestructible. I think they're the best. With my disability, I've been known to drop my binoculars, run over them with my wheelchair and knock my spotting scope off the table. Now, one of the things you can't have happen when you're in another country and in a national competition is have your optics fail you. I knew my Alpen binoculars and spotting scope could take a beating and keep on competing. I don't know how many times I've dropped them, knocked them off the table and run over them, yet they're still crystal clear and easy for me to handle. I'm a member of the Alpen family. I appreciate all Alpen does for me. I don't abuse my equipment deliberately; stuff just happens. I know that regardless of how tough I am on my optics, Alpen binoculars and scopes still will enable me to see down-range clearly and identify my arrow placement accurately, regardless of the weather and the abuse.
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