All-Decade Team: Men's Archery

Williamsburg, KY – The UC Athletic Department has built a strong reputation as a premier school in the NAIA and over the past decade, the Patriots welcomed seven new programs, which has expanded its total number of sports offered to 30. The first of these additions was the UC Archery program, which began competition during the 2012-13 season and just completed its eighth year as a program. Over those eight seasons, the Patriots have built the program into a perennial powerhouse within the USCA and USA Archery winning nine national championships.  The Patriots' success has come in part of having a slew of talented archers that have garnered countless honors at both the conference and national level. The men’s archery team has recorded a USA Archery Shooter of the Year, 13 individual national titles, 37 individual podium finishes at nationals, countless team podium finishes at nationals, 53 All-American honors, 36 All-Conference honors, two MSC Shooters of the Year, and three MSC Freshman of the Year. With all of these accomplishments, the one athlete that represents the men’s archery team program on UC’S All-Decade Team is Josh Isenhoff.

Isenhoff is one of the most decorated athletes in program history and is the program’s all-time leader in individual podium finishes (7) while being tied for the program lead in national championships (3) and earning All-American honors in each of his three seasons.  Isenhoff is one of just three men’s archers to earn multiple national titles and one of just two to win at least three.  Isenhoff is also tied for the program lead in bronze medals with three. In addition to his individual success, Josh has reached the podium 12 times as part of the team rounds, including taking home the gold medal five times.  Isenhoff also played a vital role in UC’s first two Mid-South Conference championships as she was a nine-time MSC All-Conference shooter. In 2019, Isenhoff made program history as he qualified to represent Team USA at the World University Games.

Isenhoff was a standout from the moment he stepped foot on campus in the fall of 2016.  The Gracey, KY native reached the podium at all three national championships during his freshman campaign.  Isenhoff opened his Patriot career in winning fashion as set the program record with a 434 qualifying score before he captured the men’s compound national championships at 3D Nationals.  The freshman added a pair of runner-up finishes in the mixed compound with teammate Madeline Brown and the men’s compound team alongside Clint Moore and John Whalen to help UC capture the 3D National Championships. Isenhoff notched his second individual national championships as he won gold at the Outdoor National Championships.  The freshman added a bronze in mixed compound at the Indoor National Championships, before earning gold in both the mixed compound and men’s compound team at the Outdoor National Championships.  His performance helped Cumberlands win all three national championships for the first time in program history as Isenhoff notched All-American honors.

After an impressive freshman campaign, Isenhoff continued to be a namesake on the podium at both the conference and national levels during his sophomore season.  At the conference level, Isenhoff reached the podium eight times, including capturing five conference titles en route to helping the Patriots win the inaugural Mid-South Conference Championship. Isenhoff reached the podium twice at the 3D national championship after earning bronze in men’s compound and men’s compound team.  The sophomore followed that up by earning a pair of national championships in the Indoor National Championships in the men’s compound and mixed compound division. Isenhoff capped off the season with a trio of runner-up finishes.  Josh earned silver in the men’s compound division, before finishing up in the mixed compound class with Tara Currie and the men’s compound team division with Clint Moore and Wes Parrett.  

After tallying an already remarkable career, Josh saved his best season for last with five podium finishes at nationals, a first-team all-conference selection, and a program-best qualifying score at outdoor nationals.  Isenhoff started the year by placing third in men’s compound at the 3D National Championships while being part of the men’s compound team that earned the bronze medal. After a solid indoor season, where Isenhoff finished third in the men’s compound division he set he sights on outdoor. He began outdoor season by successfully defending his conference title before shooting a 690 in the qualifying round at outdoor nationals.  Not only was that score a program record it also earned Isenhoff a spot on Team USA for the World University Games.  Isenhoff capped off his Patriot career with a pair of national titles. He teamed with Jase Boils and Clint Moore to win the men’s compound team and partnered with Brooke Miller to earn gold in mixed compound event.  Isenhoff went on to finish fourth in the men’s compound team division at the University World Games.

Isenhoff compete at UC for three years before transferring to the University of Kentucky to pursue engineering.  He is on track to graduate in December 2021 with a Bachelor in Civil Engineering from UK and a Bachelor in Applied Physics from UC. In addition to completing his coursework, Isenhoff has continued training in archery, switching to the Olympic Recurve division with aims of qualifying for another World University Games.

The UC All-Decade Team was determined based on stats, awards & honors received, and significance to the program in addition to input for members of the UC Athletic Department. It will include one representative from every sport and be comprised of 29 student-athletes. The all-decade team looked at everything from the 2010-2011 season through the 2019-2020 season.