Sunny Orlando, Florida was the place to be last week as student archers from the United States and Canada came together for the National Archery in the Schools Program eighth world tournament. In the past, the world tournaments were held at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports, and this year the Orange County Convention Center opened its doors on July 21-22nd for the first time since NASP®’s inception to allow students, coaches, and families to participate and compete in this global event. Student archers, who received top honors in their national level competitions, showcased all the hard work and dedication they’ve invested throughout the year.
Participating students ranged from fourth grade through twelfth. Out of the 3,691 students registered to compete in the bulls-eye competition, 3,397 students participated. 1,247 youth were registered for the International Bowhunting Organizations 3D challenge, and 1,179 archers competed. What a great turnout! There were no surprises as students shot utilizing the same competitive format used at the national tournaments. Each archer was given five practice arrows, followed by fifteen scored arrows, at each of two distances. They shot from ten and fifteen meter shooting lines, for a total of forty arrows per archer. Students used the same Genesis bows and Easton arrows, while shooting “bare-bow” style; using no stabilizers, sights, and release aids.
As the first whistle sounded off, results started “flying” in. Beginning in the Elementary Division, fourth grader, Mathew Harper from Maysville Middle School in Ohio, received top honors with his score of 292. In the female category, fifth grader Caitlin Blair who attends Fairfield Christian Academy in Ohio, shot a top score of 290!
In the Middle School Division, eighth grader Henry Thompson from Anderson County Middle School in Kentucky tied with Justin Miller, also an eighth grader from Hartland High School in Michigan with a score of 297. In the female category, another exciting tie between eighth grader Emmaline Kleinman who attends Crosby Middle School in Kentucky and Easter Swan, also an eighth grader from Meigs Middle School in Ohio. Both girls shot a 295. After a close tiebreaker, Henry Thompson and Easter Swan took top honors, with Justin and Emmaline achieving runner up. Amazing job!
In the High School Division, twelfth grader Chris Lingenfelter who attends Sarcoxie High School in Missouri scored a 296, while in the female category, tenth grader Taylor Backus who attends Madison Consolidated High School in Indiana, scored a 295! Overall winners of the 2017 NASP® world tournament were awarded to Henry Thompson and Easter Swan! Congratulations to Henry and Easter on your outstanding achievements and to all archers on your hard work and dedication to the sport of archery!
Of course we can’t forget about NASP®’s companion event, the International Bowhunting Organization’s 3D Challenge. Twelfth grader Cole Luburgh, who attends Philo High School in Ohio, shot a high score of 297 achieving overall male in the competition. Tabitha Way, who attends Carolina Warriors Homeschool Archery Team in South Carolina, shot a 294! She also earned top honors as overall female. Brooklyn Mays, a sophomore from Webster County High School in Dixon, KY, was the female runner-up with a score of 293. Henry Thompson from Lawrenceburg, KY won the tie-breaker for runner-up against Michigan’s Garet Fyke. Congratulations to the IBO/3D winners!
Ryan Bass, director of the IBO/3D challenge had some inspiring words about the event this year. “The 2017 World NASP®/IBO 3D Tournament was a huge success as we saw a 5% increase in the number of NASP® archers shooting 3D over the Myrtle Beach Worlds in 2016. We believe this can be accredited to NASP® and the IBO’s efforts to bring the NASP/IBO 3D Challenge to more states by providing the resources necessary to hold state level tournaments.”
Critical to the success of NASP®’s tournaments are the hard-working volunteers and sponsors who not only impart their time and efforts in providing a safe and enjoyable experience, but also provide the equipment needed to execute a successful event. According to NASP®’s VP and General Manager, Tommy Floyd, “The generosity and support from our many vendors as well as the representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made the event even more safe and special for participants.”
A big thanks goes to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who officiated much of the tournament and provided numerous volunteers. Thank you to Easton Technical Products, Mathews Archery, Morrell, Rinehart, and Feradyne Outdoors, and Academy Sports + Outdoors for supporting another successful NASP® event! “Events like this reflect our continued success and growth as an organization. I personally want to thank all those who volunteered, the city of Orlando, and the staff of the Orange County Convention Center,” added Floyd.
By plane or by car, students are homeward bound, some already planning for the 2018 World Tournament to be held in Louisville, Kentucky June 7th -9th. Again, congratulations to all of the student archers for their hard work and accomplishments!