More than 1,200 students participated in the Alabama National Archery in the Schools Program state championship April 5 at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.
Students in grades three through 12 competed for championships and the opportunity to advance to the national championship in May. According to Marisa Futral, NASP program coordinator for the ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, the championship is the culmination of five regional qualifying events.
“We had to create regional events two years ago because we ran out of room at the state championship and we wanted to give every child a chance to compete,” she said. “More than 2,000 youth shot in regionals this year and 1,200 of those shot here at the state championship, making this the largest youth archery competition in Alabama.
“Archery is a sport these kids can participate in for the rest of their lives, not just during their school years. I’m thrilled to see this many youth excited about archery.”
The top individual winners and top three teams in each division are:
Top Overall Individuals:
Female: Wendi Thomas, Alma Bryant High School, Irvington
Male: Tyler Williams, Alma Bryant High School, Irvington
Elementary Division:
1. Foley Intermediate School, Foley
2. New Market Elementary School, New Market
3. Susan Moore Elementary School, Blountsville
Middle School Division:
1. Ashville Middle School, Ashville
2. Buckhorn Middle School New Market
3. Grand Bay Middle School, Grand Bay
High School Division:
1. Alma Bryant High School, Irvington
2. Ashville High School, Ashville
3. Saraland High School, Saraland
Nine middle schools, 12 elementary and 15 high school teams earned berths in the NASP National Tournament on May 11-12 in Louisville, Ky. Complete results for the 2012 NASP State Championship are available on the ADCNR website at www.outdooralabama.com/education/archery/.
The NASP is a joint venture between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and the Alabama Department of Education. Scoring is based on Olympic style target archery.
Assisting sponsors included the Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Morrell Manufacturing, the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, and the Alabama Wildlife Federation.