Local dart champion takes home third national win
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MCVEYTOWN- Levi Bilger of Ferguson Valley has won his third consecutive national championship in dart throwing.
"I was pumped, to say the least, to win my third consecutive ADA singles national championship," explained Bilger. "That was my number one goal for the weekend- to win singles."
Bilger has won championships in Las Vegas, Dallas, and the most recent location was right here in Pennsylvania at Valley Forge Casino.
In an intense competition of single elimination dart throwing, Bilger was able to bring home a win. "When the final dart hit for the win I was overjoyed and so relieved all at the same time," shared Bilger. "The tension gets worse with every dart."
Bilger started throwing darts in 2013 after a friend from his softball team encouraged him to give it a try. Despite not taking darts seriously for the first couple of years, Bilger's competitive nature took control, pushing him to practice in order to get better.
"With practice, just like any sport you start to get better," explained Bilger. " So I started traveling to tournaments and I started to do well in them."
Over the years, Bilger has gotten significantly better and has traveled all across the United States and into Canada. Now, in his possession is around 50 plaques, trophies, and medals and two championship rings; he is set to acquire his third ring next July at the opening ceremony for nationals in Kissimmee, Florida.
According to Bilger, the only way to win a ring at the American Dart Association Nationals, is to win the pro-singles event, which is their highest level of play you compete in. Qualification for the pro event includes carrying a high enough average across a one-year span. Bilger entered the competition as the seventh seed this year, based on averages.
When he is not throwing darts, Bilger enjoys being outdoors: fishing, hunting, camping at the river lot, and playing softball or golf.
Bilger has been employed at the Mifflin County Municipal Authority for the last 10 years and has worked construction his whole life outside of school.
"I am lucky enough to have a job that allows me time to travel between vacation time and my overtime that I can bank for time off," explained Bilger.
Bilger says he plays in leagues around his home and online to help keep his skills sharp; that as well as the support of his parents through this journey has helped Bilger build his skills and mindset to keep competing at a higher level.
"This is definitely a sport where you control your outcome depending on your dedication to the game and your mindset," shared Bilger.
Darts is a "humbling game" according to Bilger, there will be days you are on fire and feel like you can't lose and the next day it feels like you've never played before.
Bilger added that darts is like anything else in life, you have to appreciate the highs and accept the lows to work through it.