“My biggest challenge, I thought, would be getting to the top level,” says world class archer Dave Cousins. “Now an even bigger challenge is staying there.”

So far so good.

Cousins, 29 and a resident of Standish, has been the United States’ top target shooter in the men’s compound division since 1998 and, with an individual victory in the National Field Championships in Spokane, Washington, in June, his total number of national titles – both in target and field archery – has reached 30.

Counsins’ recent success helped earn him the 2006 Easton Award – presented annually to the International Archery Federation’s (FITA) top male and female Compound Division archers. It is the eighth consecutive year he’s earned the award.

Cousins’ performance in Washington also qualified him for his next major competition, the World Field Championships, held Aug. 28 through Sept. 2 in Gothenberg, Sweden. He finished fifth in the most recent world field championships, held two years ago (it’s a bi-annual event).

His 2006 globe-trotting schedule doesn’t end there. Two weeks after Sweden he’ll begin a four-stop Outdoor Target World Tour, beginning in Shanghai, China. He’ll also compete in Croatia, Turkey and El Salvador.

While straight target shooting tests competitors at precise distances on flat ground, field events require the archer to perform at varied distances on uneven terrain. Cousins is one of a small class who enjoy and excel at both.

“Not too many of us cross over,” he said while enjoying a rare restful few days at home in Standish last week. “But I enjoy that. It helps keep me interested.”

As individualistic a sport as archery is – like golf and tennis – Cousins has hardly been keeping to himself.

He helped restructure the Maine Archery Association four years ago and is the current president. Through that position he’s responsible for promoting the sport locally. He does so by helping to promote Maine’s venues, including Nicely Equipped Archery in Gorham, Howell’s in Gray, Central Maine Archery in Auburn and Old Towne Archery.

He also regularly conducts clinics and does research and development for his sponsors, the biggest of which is Hoyt, a highly-regarded equipment manufacturer.

“Nationally it’s growing in numbers,” he said of participation in the sport. “And a new program – the National Archery in Schools program (NASP) – has been huge.”

The competitive season in target has lengthened from eight to 11 months and the World Cup tour may increase from four stops to six, Cousins said.

It’s never been more lucrative to be a professional, he added.

“It used to be I’d have to win every tournament to make a living,” he said. “But not anymore.”

Last year wasn’t his best on the scorecard, “but it was by far my best financially,” Cousins said.

The innovations in equipment have been compounding also. Cousins should know. He’s regularly called upon by his sponsors help in that development. Though he’s not able to discuss precisely the experimental equipment he’s testing currently, he assures that “it will be a quantum leap.”