April 30, 2007

The largest youth archery competition in Alabama, the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Championship, was held Thursday, April 26, 2007 at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center in Birmingham. Nearly 700 young archers in Grades 4-12 from schools across the state competed in the event with hopes that their school’s team will advance to the United States Invitational Championship in Louisville, Kentucky in June.

The NASP is a joint venture between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and the Alabama Department of Education promoting student education and participation in the lifelong sport of archery as part of a school’s physical education course and after school programs. Approximately 100 Alabama schools take part in the NASP. “This program is unique in many ways,” said State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton. “Participating students are challenged to do their best academically and physically and at the same time are learning and displaying positive character education traits. The programcan also be included as a unit or activity in the Lifelong Individualized Fitness Education(LIFE) course included in the Alabama Course of Study; Physical Education, which is the one-credit physical education requirement for graduation.” The goal of the LIFE course is for students to make physical activity a part of their lives beyond high school, and archery is a sport that can be enjoyed in adulthood.

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner M. Barnett Lawley thinks the partnership with education is a winner. “The National Archery in the Schools Programs is a great example of the many educational programs offered by our department as part of school activities. I congratulate the students, schools, and teachers who have worked hard to get where they are today and am confident that those advancing to the national championship will represent Alabama well.”
At Thursday’s NASP State Championship, there were two flights. Scoring was based on Olympic style, target archery in three divisions – elementary, middle and high school.

Competition included team and individual levels.
Eleven-year old Tripp Blackmon, a sixth-grade student at Charles Henderson Middle School (CHMS), was new to the team and the championship. “I’m more nervous after I shoot, worrying if I am following all of the rules. It’s my first time.”

Countess Carswell, mother of Charles Henderson Middle School sixth-grader Jonathan Carswell, enjoys watching her son shoot. “The last time we were here, my eighth-grade son participated. This time it is a little more nerve racking watching my sixth-grader because I can see how excited he is. My husband bow hunts and that’s why the boys began liking archery and we appreciate the good job the coaches have done teaching our students skill and teamwork.” Jonathan took second place in the Individual Level Elementary Male Division.

“We are extremely pleased with the partnership we have with schools all across the state,” said Marisa Lee-Sasser, the program’s coordinator for the ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. “It is rewarding to see how much the students gain from this program and how much they enjoy participating.”

Team Level Winners of the 2007 NASP State Championship are:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION: Charles Henderson Middle School – Troy City School System

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION: Charles Henderson Middle School – Troy City School System

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION: Alma Bryant High School – Mobile County School System

A complete listing of the 2007 NASP State Championship winners.
Sponsors of the event included the Alabama Chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Alabama Conservation and Natural Resources Foundation, and Strickland Outdoors.