Alabama Holds First State Archery Championship

Students participated in Alabama’s first annual “National Archery in the Schools Program” Championship on April 29.  The event, held at the Alabama Wildlife Federation headquarters in Millbrook, featured 220 students representing 11 schools.

Three-person teams competed in Elementary (K-6), Middle (7-8) and High School (9-12) divisions. Students shot 30 arrows, 15 each from distances of 10 and 15 meters.

On site to assist with the event was Rod White, a two-time Olympic Archery medalist. White is taking archery to the nation’s youth through the Matthews Genesis project. “It’s a very big deal for our industry,” said White who won gold at the 1996 Atlanta games, and bronze at the 2000 Sydney games. “We’re pleased to have Alabama as a part of this. Who knows? Maybe, one of these kids will win a gold medal someday.”

Alabama is the second state to implement this program patterned after Kentucky’s “National Archery in the Schools Program.” Sixteen schools (two from each of the state’s Board of Education districts) were chosen for the pilot program in 2003. The program is a partnership between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and the State Department of Education. It is being taught in 25 Alabama schools as part of their physical education program. More schools have plans to implement the program.

“We’re excited about introducing students to a life skill that is related to Alabama’s natural resources recreational opportunities,” said Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley. “We hope to increase the number of students involved throughout the state.”

The opportunity to take part in this program has meant a lot to the students for different reasons. Sandra Mitchell of Adair Middle School in Clanton said that one of her students has gained a brighter outlook on life since he started participating. “Before this, his main ambition in life was to reach the age of

16 and drop out of school,” she said. “Now, he has found something that interests him. He’s real excited about going to school now and participating in archery.”

The individual winners received medals, and the team winners received plaques and trophies.

The winners in the individual categories were:

Elementary School

Males: 1^st Place – Quinn Otte, Riverton Elementary; 2^nd Place – Stephen Johnson, Adair Elementary; 3^rd Place – Drake Davis, Riverton Elementary.

Females: 1^st Place – Candace Kent, Adair Elementary; 2^nd Place – Shelby Richmond, Marietta Johnson Elementary; 3^rd Place – Megan Wyatt, Adair Elementary.

Middle School

Males: 1^st Place – Kimson Do, Alba Middle; 2^nd Place – Josh Potts, Marietta Johnson; 3^rd Place – Bradley Beaureguard, Charles Henderson Middle

Females: 1^st Place – Candace Riva, Alba Middle; 2^nd Place – Svetlana Okafor, Floyd Middle Magnet; 3^rd Place – Haley Salzbum, Hewitt Trussville Middle

High School

Males: 1^st Place – Zach Hughes, Hubbertville High;       2^nd Place – Drew Tucker, Hubbertville High; 3^rd Place – Brandon Burns, Sardis High

The team winners were:

Elementary School

1^st Place – Adair Elementary, #5 Team; 2^nd Place – Hubbertville Elementary, # 1 Team; 3^rd Place – Riverton Elementary, # 2 Team

Middle School

1^st Place – Alba Middle, #4 Team; 2^nd Place – Alba Middle, #3 Team; 3^rd Place – Alba Middle #2 Team

High School

1^st Place – Hubbertville High, #5 Team; 2^nd Place – Hubbertville High, # 4 Team; 3^rd Place – Sardis High, #1 Team

Although this was the first State Championship for Alabama, Floyd Middle Magnet and Hewitt Trussville Middle represented the state at the national competition in Kentucky in March.

To learn more about the Archery in the Schools Program, click here.

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Students take aim during Alabama’s first annual “National Archery in the Schools Program” Championship.