MIDWAY, Ky. - With half a year to establish himself as the leader of the Midway archery program, Darren Collins says vibes feel different as he enters his first full season as the program's head coach.

"It's a completely different feeling knowing you are the person that's setting (the agenda) from beginning to end," said Collins, who took over as Eagle head coach in January. "And the job's been phenomenal so far."

Helping build Collins' excitement was a strong finish to last season, which ended with a 13th-place finish at the USA Archery Collegiate Target National Championships. This was the best USA Archery National finish in program history.

One of the biggest catalysts for that success is back. Returning sophomore Kelli Booth will again lead the women's fixed pins division following a great 24-25 season.

In January, Booth became Midway's first Mid-South Conference champion, winning a title at the MSC Indoor Championship. She then concluded her rookie campaign by finishing sixth at Outdoor Nationals, becoming Midway's first All-American in over a decade.

Collins is expecting even better things this season, saying "Kelli Booth's on fire. We haven't even had a tournament yet and she's already shooting All-American scores."

Other key returners include senior Jessica Badgett, who teamed with Booth for a second-place finish in team fixed-pin competition at the MSC Indoor Championships, and Emily Phillips, who won Olympic Recurve Shooter of the Year honors at the Kentucky State Championships in July.

Collins also has high hopes for his six freshmen, in particular Olympic recurve shooter Hannah Welts, saying "She's going to be phenomenal this year. I see her being an All-American."

Competing in a loaded conference headlined by defending outdoor national champions Cumberlands, Collins admits he is still in the "baby steps" stages of building up the program, but definitely believes he has it on the right track.

This season, the Eagles have 17 shooters on their roster, with Collins saying all 17 will have a role on a team he feels is close to being a bigger player on the national stage.

"I'm hoping to pick up more seats at nationals," he said. "My goal is to try and finish in the top-10. I think if we can finish in the top-10, we can show the rest of the nation that we have a team to watch out for."

Midway will open the season at the USA Archery Collegiate 3D Regionals in London, Ky. Friday and the MSC 3D Championships in Williamsburgh Saturday.