It was a very good year for Alabama’s student archers at the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Eastern National Championship. Placing in the top five of their shooting categories were two Alabama teams and four individual students. Additionally, an Alabama elementary school student was chosen as an Easton Academic Archer and five Alabama students made the NASP All-American Academic Team.

“We are extremely proud of the performance of Alabama’s student archers,” said Marisa Futral, Hunter Education Coordinator for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). “Their determination and dedication to both archery and academics is paying off and will serve them well in other aspects of life.”

More than 14,000 archers traveled from 35 states to the competition, which was held May 10-12, 2018, in Louisville, Ky. Alabama’s top five results are listed below.

Overall Competition

Teams

• East Elementary, First Place, Elementary School Division
• Alma Bryant High, Fifth Place, High School Division

Individuals

• Kayden Henderson, Vinemont Elementary, Third Place, Elementary School Male Division
• Allie Stewart, East Elementary, Fourth Place, Elementary School Female Division
• Caleb Thornton, Alma Bryant High, Third Place, in both the overall competition and the High School Male Division with a near perfect score of 297 (out of 300).

International Bowhunters Organization 3D Tournament

Teams

• East Elementary, First Place

Individuals

• Ava Ray, East Elementary, Second Place, Elementary School Female Division
• Allie Stewart, East Elementary, Third Place, Elementary School Female Division

Academic Archer

The Easton Academic Archer program highlights students who excel in the classroom as well as on the archery range. Each of the newly chosen academic archers received a Genesis Bow and custom Easton Academic Archer arrows during the tournament.

• Pierce Gudger of East Elementary School was chosen as one of 10 academic archers for 2018.

All-American Academic Team

The 2018 NASP All-American Academic Team was formed based on the results of both the NASP Eastern and Western National tournaments and a roster of Academic Archers from across North America. Five students from Alabama have made this year’s team.

• Allie Stewart, East Elementary
• Jonathan Hall, Breitling Elementary
• Taylor Darby, Munford Middle
• Justin Liveoak, Chilton County High
• Caleb Thornton, Alma Bryant High

Complete results for the 2018 NASP Eastern National Championship are available at www.naspschools.org. The 2018 NASP World Tournament will be held June 7-9, in Louisville, Ky.

The NASP was founded in Kentucky in 2002 and has since spread around the country. In Alabama, the NASP is a joint venture between the ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and the Alabama Department of Education.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visitwww.outdooralabama.com.

Photo (courtesy of NASP): Arrows Soar at 2018 NASP Eastern National Tournament 

Contact: Hunter Education, 334-242-3620