Lewisburg Archery teams continue to build excitement for Logan County, as the school’s archery team wins has won the national championship

The Lewisburg Elementary and Middle School teams traveled to Louisville this past Saturday, June 9, to compete in the National Archery in the Schools Program National Archery Tournament.

The tournament consisted of schools from 21 states with 1,600 archers in the West Wing of the Louisville Fair and Exposition Center

The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is a joint venture between state departments of Education and Wildlife. Several archery equipment manufacturers and organizations are also partners. The program promotes student education and participation in the life-long sport of Archery. The program’s focus is to provide International Style Target Archery training in physical education class grades 4 - 12.

Archers competed for individual and team awards. Competition was divided into three divisions. Elementary (grades 4-6), Middle School (grades 7-8), and High School (grades 9-12). Each archer shoot 30 arrows trying to achieve a perfect score of 300 total points. Archers shoot 15 arrows from 10 meters and 15 arrows from 15 meters for the combined score.

Lewisburg Elementary team won the national title with an average score of 255. This is an outstanding accomplishment since the team has only participated in this event the last two years.

Tyler Woods led the team in scoring with a 273 and received a 5th place National award

The following shooters finished in the top 25: For the boys, Joshua Dilliha finished 18th with a score of 265 and Spencer Parsons 24th with a 264. For the girls Morgan Hamilton finished 9th with a 269, Kristin Hudson 15th (261) and Lacee Moore 21st (258).

The entire team performed with great courage represented Logan County and the state of Kentucky well. The team outscored their competition by 59 points with average individual score of 255.

The Lewisburg Middle School team competed in the tournament and finished 7th in the Nation. This was also an outstanding accomplishment considering the competition they faced.

David Foster led the middle school team in scoring with a 280 and received 6th place recognition.

The Lewisburg teams have been together and practiced two and three days a week for the last nine months. The coaches knew they had some outstanding shooters and believed they had a great opportunity to win this title. They watched their teams hold up to the test during the regional and state competitions where they battled powerhouse teams from Trigg County and Henderson.

The coaches keep telling the kids they where winners and to set their goals high. Their determination and desire to been National Champions has paid off.

The Logan County School System is out for summer break therefore, there was no opportunity for the archers to share there accomplishment with their school comrades. The coaches will plan a back-to-school celebration in August as they will present the national trophy to Principal Barrett Nelson and display a National Champion banner in the school gym. The archery team will bring this season to a close with a banquet soon to be announced.

The students made a deal with the coaches if they won the coaches they would have to paint there hair purple, wear grass skirts and coconuts, and perform the hula. This may be too much information but this performance will take place at the banquet.

The National Archery in the Schools Program is expanding in Logan County. Chandlers had a successful training year this past season. Adairville will start their program when they return back to school. Charlie Richardson has met with Logan County High School athletic officials and has received preliminary approval from Athletic Director Hugh McReynolds with program details to be worked out within the next few weeks.

Although this is a school sport and most teams shoot in their school gym, the Lewisburg teams where blessed with the opportunity to practice in the Hunters Den new indoor archery range.

“We would like to thank owner Allen Thomas for all he has done to help our program,” Richardson says. “Allen and the Lewisburg coaches would be more than happy to assist anyone in getting started in this exciting program.”

“A huge thanks to the archery parents for their support as they helped raise money and assisted with all this years travel. Thanks for all who supported our raffle fund raiser,” Richardson says.

The raffle winner for a Matthew bow was Glenn Stone and for a Genesis bow was Monte Shifflett.

Everyone involved with the Archery Rangers are proud of the way the teams shot and how well the represented the schools with professional behavior.