CELEBRATION, Fla. — Mark Wagner dispatched former Olympian Rod White to advance to the Archery semi-finals on Saturday. When he walked to the sideline, his mother waited, ready to choke him with hugs.

For the youngest archer in the field — he's just 20 years old — the moment was confusing. On the one hand, he was still a boy and only had his mother for victory kisses, while other archers had husbands and wives around. Yet, he made quick work of the field archery old guard on his way to bronze.

In the third-place match, he beat Ron Hendrix. That's the sports equivalent of beating Michael Jordan in a game of H-O-R-S-E. The two were tied going into the Speed Challenge, the final event of the head-to-head rounds, where archers have to hit four targets before their opponent. Hendrix fumbled on the first, while Wagner coolly knocked down his marks.

The bronze was his, but the moment was still unreal for the young man. He checked his pulse, and had a photographer snap several pictures of him shaking Hendrix's hand. Wagner kept telling Hendrix what an honor it had been to shoot against him.

Hendrix, the defending gold medalist, appreciated Wagner's humility.

"He's the guy to watch out for. He's an up-and-comer," Hendrix said.

Wagner's accomplishments were even more impressive to the older Hendrix considering the conditions. Gusting crosswinds from Hurricane Dennis made life difficult for the archers.

Wagner is short, with clean-cut blonde hair and an unassuming demeanor. His aw-shuck attitude was a nice change for the crowd from the other stone-faced competitors.

"I've been shooting a bow for 17 years," Wagner said.

Since age 3 he had been at the range. Archery surrounds his world. His father is a former national champion who now owns Archery Field and Sports in Des Moines, Iowa. Wagner is an employee at the store.

This was the biggest event of Wagner's professional career, and he was humble throughout the festivities.

"This is it for me, the big event," he said, referring to the Great Outdoor Games. "I can use the prize money to pay for college.

Final standings

1. Keith Brown, Greensboro, N.C.
2. Jerry Decker, Dalton, Pa.
3. Mark Wagner, Des Moines, Iowa
4. Randy Hendrix, Clemmons, N.C.
5. Rod White, Mount Pleasant, Iowa
5. Tim Gillingham, Orem, Utah
7. Randy Ulmer, Cave Creek, Ariz.
8. Darren Collins, Galena, Kan.
9. Cindy Decker, Dalton, Pa.
9. Bradley Gohlke, Houston, Texas
9. Karen Demaris, La Pine, Ore.
12. Jackie Caudle, Gadsden, Ala.
12. Josh Deering, Maple City, Mich.
14. Mike Slinkard, John Day, Ore.
15. Wayne Endicott, Springfield, Ore.
16. Ginger Hopwood, Marietta, Ga.

The Games will be aired on ESPN and ABC Sports July 13-17, 2005. Click here for the broadcast schedule.

This article on the Great Outdoor Games 2005 Web site is brought to you by the editors of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. For more information, visit www.fieldandstream.com and www.outdoorlife.com.