Experienced a few firsts in the Nashville Regional that I’d never thought I’d see…watching a three-time champ just have an off day and having to pull the first and second place finishers out of a bar to get their plaques. But it’s just different in Nashville than at the other three regional sites.

Literally thousands walking around the venue, a stage with big-name country artists performing less than 300 yards away, and a bar right across the street are just a few examples. None of it bothered Jeff Haney of Fletcher, NC, though. He stayed cool and consistent throughout the competition. Jeff never finished higher than third or lower than seventh in any of the four disciplines in picking up the victory with a score of 17.

Ryan Straley of Olathe, KS, used a victory in Archery, a second in Bait Casting, and a third in Air Rifle to come in second with a score of 23. Skills gave him fits, but with 1/3 of the field timing out, it didn’t cost second place.

We have the second rookie of the year to advance to the Canyon. Joshua Skelton of Gallatin, TN, finished third with a score of 42. Joshua is dandy with the bow, which makes the Archery discipline in the Finals even tougher. Everyone in the Finals counts on Archery as being a “strong” event for them.

I have to mention Paul Thompson because he’s been such a big part of the growth of this event. He finished sixth overall, which isn’t bad at all for most mortals, but the Soul Patch Warrior is different. Paul just wasn’t feeling it and was just off in Nashville, simple as that.

You could see the heartbreak in his and his wife’s eyes, but they’re expecting, so it may be a good year for Paul to concentrate on other things. It’ll just seem strange in Dogwood without the Thompsons.

Another first made it crystal clear how important this deal is to some of y’all. A former finalist had a rough run in Archery and knew immediately that he wouldn’t make the trek to the Finals. It was his first discipline of the day and he knew there was no way to overcome the huge point value. After pulling the arrows from the first target and telling him his score, I saw him tear up and have to walk away. It’s hard watching guys who put the work in to do well, slip and have their guts ripped out.

Just know that the crew understands this and we do all we can do to ensure no one loses out because of a mistake by one of us.

Complete Results: Click here for the Grapevine Regional, and here for the Nashville Regional.