Over the past year, thousands of student archers competed in regional tournaments throughout the state for a chance to draw their bows at the 2024 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Alabama State Championship in Montgomery on April 4-5.
During the event, nearly 2,000 archers from 105 schools competed for top honors and the opportunity to advance to the NASP Eastern National Championship on May 9-11, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky.
This year, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division awarded $10,000 in scholarships to select top archers. The top overall female and male archers each received a $1,500 scholarship. First place high school female and male archers each received a $1,000 scholarship, second place high school female and male archers each received a $750 scholarship, and third place high school female and male archers each received a $500 scholarship. The scholarships are funded, in part, by the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association.
“The Archery in the Schools Program helps prepare these students for life by teaching discipline, patience, and the life lessons required to be successful in both the classroom and at the archery range,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “Their determination and dedication to both archery and academics will well serve these students now and in the future.”
In addition to the top archers, five students randomly selected from a list of all registered Academic Archers who shot during the tournament were each awarded a $500 scholarship. Those students are:
- Aiden Evans, Beulah High
- Annie Sudduth, Alabama School of Math and Science
- Deasia Simmons, Munford Middle
- Eli Kirkland, Fayetteville School
- Ryder Wells, Booth Elementary
Scoring for the state tournament is based on international style target archery in three divisions – elementary, middle and high school. Competition is on team and individual levels. Perfect scores are 3,600 points for teams and 300 for individuals. If archers that place in each division have the same score, the ties are broken by comparing the numbers of 10s from the score sheet. The archer with the most 10s is awarded first place.
Top Scores in the 2024 Alabama NASP State Championship
TOP OVERALL INDIVIDUALS
FEMALE: Maddie Seidel, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, Score: 292
MALE: Mason McCury, Good Hope High, Score: 296
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
Alma Bryant High, Score: 3,456
Vinemont High, Score: 3,379
Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, Score: 3,367
MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION
Cullman Middle, Score: 3,324
Vinemont Middle, Score: 3,308
Causey Middle, Score: 3,278
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION
Dawes Intermediate, Score: 3,085
East Elementary, Score: 3,073
Vinemont Elementary, Score: 3,012
INDIVIDUAL HIGH SCHOOL FEMALES
Maddie Seidel, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, Score: 292
Mia Cornelson, Alma Bryant High, Score 290
Kaitlyn Hastings, Alma Bryant High, Score 290
INDIVIDUAL HIGH SCHOOL MALES
Mason McCury, Good Hope High, Score: 296
Caleb Morris, Alma Bryant High, Score 295
Alexander Roddy, Alma Bryant High, Score 294
INDIVIDUAL MIDDLE SCHOOL FEMALES
Alaina Percherke, Causey Middle, Score: 288
Nora Burks, Vinemont Middle, Score: 286
Lydia Hosmer, Liberty Middle, Score: 283
INDIVIDUAL MIDDLE SCHOOL MALES
Gunnar Couch, Grand Bay Middle, Score: 295
Easton Cook, Saraland Middle, Score: 295
Thatcher Lucas, Cullman Middle, Score: 292
INDIVIDUAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FEMALES
Lilliana Smith, Dawes Intermediate, Score: 283
Makynzie Thompson, Dawes Intermediate, Score: 279
Karli Cook, Saraland Elementary, Score: 273
INDIVIDUAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MALES
Cason Tarver, Saraland Elementary, Score: 284
Tyler Page, St. Luke’s Episcopal School, Score: 283
Luke Patterson, Dawes Intermediate, Score: 281
Complete results for the 2024 NASP Alabama State Championship are available at www.nasptournaments.org. To view photos from the event, visit ADCNR’s Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/outdooralabama.
Alabama’s archery program is coordinated by WFF through partnerships with various schools and supporting organizations in the state. Alabama NASP is an affiliate of the national program and promotes discipline, self-esteem and life skills for students in grades 4-12.
To learn more about Alabama NASP, contact WFF Regional Hunter Education Coordinator Michael Bloxom at (334) 242-3620 or Michael.Bloxom@dcnr.alabama.gov
ADCNR 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. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.
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