News Release

First statewide archery tourney a big success

March 10, 2008
Contact: Steven Robbins, 386-758-0525

The final arrows have zipped downrange, concluding the inaugural National Archery in the Schools Program Virtual State Tournament in Florida.

Elementary, middle and high school teams from 28 schools, including 592 kids, competed in their own gymnasiums for awards and prizes.  The top three schools in each division, plus the overall high-scoring male and female shooters for all divisions, earned trophies and medals.  All participants will receive an official tournament t-shirt and a certificate of participation.

The top male archer was Terrell Walker from West Nassau High School in Callahan.  Terrell’s tournament-best score is 269 out of a possible 300 points.  The top female shooter in the tournament was Chelsea Blackburn from Flagler Palm Coast High School, with a score of 252 out of 300.  These two archers will each receive a trophy, a bow from Brennan Industries – makers of the Genesis bows used in the tournament – and a Morrell target. 

Only two elementary schools competed, with their fourth- and fifth-graders becoming proficient Olympic-style archers at a young age.  Finishing first was Altha Public School in Calhoun County.  Second place went to College Park Elementary School in Ocala. 

Twenty teams took part in the middle school contest, the largest competition in this year’s tournament.  Finishing first was Daniel Jenkins Academy, a magnet school in Haines City.  Second place went to Morningside Academy in Port St. Lucie, with third place going to Davidson Middle School in Crestview. 

Finally, there were six high schools involved in the tournament, with the first-place trophy going to Flagler Palm Coast High School, where Chelsea Blackburn is a team member.  Second place went to West Nassau High School in Callahan, home of the top male archer, Terrell Walker.  Altha Public School scored one more time, with its high school students taking third place in their division.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission expressed thanks to all the participating schools and students for competing in the tournament.

To inquire about enrolling your child’s school in Florida’s National Archery in the Schools Program, visit MyFWC.com/NASP or call 850-413-0084 to request a brochure.  More than 4 million children have participated in this program internationally without one single injury – just a whole lot of smiles.