The first ever axe throwing league in Utah had their championships last night. 14 individuals competed for seven weeks to seed themselves for the final match up, and only one person could come out victorious. The winner? Stephanie Szanter, a 24-year-old supervising preschool teacher at Weber State University. The Ogdenite discovered axe throwing when she went to Social Axe Throwing in Ogden—a relatively new business taking the Wasatch by storm.
“It was an awesome feeling,” says Stephanie. “Since starting the league, I tried to do my best and still have fun. I’m a competitive person, so I wanted to put my all into it.” The summer league, which happened Tuesdays at 7pm, was the first organized axe throwing league in the whole state. “I thought [the league] was well planned and fair to everyone,” she adds. “I’ve never been in a league for a sport, but I’ve played on competition teams for tennis, and they’re set up differently.”
Want to try your hand at a league title? Social Axe Throwing’s fall league starts Tuesday, October 3rd, and will continue for the same 8 week period, with 7 weeks of seeding followed by the championships. Stephanie’s grand prize consisted of a branded baseball cap and a National Axe Throwing League (NATL) approved hatchet, laser engraved with their logo and the “League Champ” title she earned. But if you want to win, you’re going to have to compete against the reigning state champ. “I am doing their fall league. I’m not sure if I will ever compete nationally, but I love the leagues at Social Axe,” says Stephanie.
For more information on Social Axe Throwing, you can listen to our podcast or check out our article in the September/October issue on newsstands September 1st.
For full disclosure, Stephanie Szanter is the sister of Salt Lake Magazine’s associate editor, Ashley Szanter.
