Louisville, Kentucky, home to the Jefferson Memorial Forest, the largest urban forest in the United States @ 6,500 acres where locals and tourists alike come to enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, and educational programs, is just one of the unique characteristics of this Bluegrass city. This 241-year-old burg that was founded by George Rogers Clark in 1778, is also host to The National Archery in the School’s Program’s (NASP®) annual Eastern National Tournament. NASP® is the largest running archery organization in the world to date, and on May 9-11, it will be hosting its seventeenth annual national tournament at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Just under 15,000 archers, along with their coaches, family, and friends are expected to be in attendance at this year’s event which, not surprisingly, should break 2017’s record of 14,492 student archer attendance! Youth who participate in NASP® advance to the national tournaments based upon their performance at their respective state tournaments. Folks can expect the same range set-up and format as in past tournaments. There will be seven competitive one-hour flights both Thursday and Friday, and six flights on Saturday.
Roy Grimes, President of NASP® gives some insight into the shooting process for the archer. “The student archers are well versed in the tournament format and how safe shooting is conducted. However, visitors new to NASP® Nationals can follow the action, as the students listen for whistle signals telling them where to go, and what to do. For instance, when two whistle blasts are signaled, archers will “Get Bows” and walk to the shooting line. Every single young person will place the bottom of their bow on their forward toes. Then they will hear a single whistle blast which initiates the two-minute shooting period in which the students will shoot five arrows. When finished shooting they will return their bows to the bow racks, and walk back behind the waiting line. They will know it’s time to “Go Get Arrows” when they hear the three-whistle signal. You’ll recognize the best-trained archers as you see them walk, stay on their feet at the targets, and use two hands to carry and cover arrow points as they return arrows to their floor quiver and return again, behind the waiting line.”
Award ceremonies will be conducted after the last flight on Saturday. Awards will be presented in all NASP® divisions including NASP® Bulls-eye and NASP®/IBO 3D Challenge competition (International Bowhunting Organization 3D). Awards will be given to 1st-5th place individual boys and girls, 1st-3rd place teams in each of the three divisions; Elementary, Middle, and High School, and overall runner-up and overall boy and girl. Furthermore, scores from the Western and Eastern tournaments will be combined to determine which archers will advance to the Open & Championship July 25-27th, in Nashville, Tennessee. More than $175,000 in scholarship money will be awarded to archers at Nashville, based upon rank achieved at the pair of National tournaments!
In addition to the shooting events that will be taking place at this year’s Eastern Nationals, On Target For Life (OTFL), a program that recognizes students and adults who perform exceptionally in the areas of: community and team service, show courage to overcome challenges, and attain special academic achievements, will be recognizing select individuals with these awards: The Community Service Award, The Bulls-Eye Award, The Super-Hero Award, The Courage Award, Coach of the Year Award, and the NASP® Legacy Award.
Academic Archer (AA), a program that recognizes students for academic excellence by maintaining honor roll grades, all while enjoying the sport of archery, will acknowledge students for their academic achievements. At the end of each one-hour flight, student archers who have been registered as NASP® Academic Archers by their coaches or teachers will be recognized by a show of hands. Last year 50% of all national tournament students were Academic Archers. School matters to NASP® archers!
Individuals and team archers who advance from their state-level tournaments must pre-register for the Eastern tournament March 11-April 5. Registration will then reopen April 8 and close April 12th. NASP® looks forward to another record-breaking year in the historic city of Louisville. Good luck and safe travels to all NASP® participants and spectators! For more information on NASP® tournaments, please visit, www.nasptournaments.org.