February 23, 2009

Birmingham, AL - The largest youth archery competition in Alabama, the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Championship, was held in February at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Approximately 1,100 young archers in Grades 4-12 from schools across the state competed in the event.

Scoring for the state championship is based on Olympic style, target archery in three divisions – elementary, middle and high school. Competition included team and individual levels.

The day-long competition paused for a brief moment during the morning to recognize Ashville Middle School archer Stephanie Whisenant, who split one arrow with another. This shot, known as a “Robin Hood,” helped her go on to win the overall competition in the female division. Her team also won the Middle School Division.

Team Level Winners of the 2009 NASP State Championship:

Elementary School Division: Breitling Elementary, Mobile County Schools Middle School Division: Ashville Middle School, St. Clair County Schools High School Division: Alma Bryant High School, Mobile County Schools.

Top Overall Individual Winners of the 2009 NASP State Championship:

Female: Stephanie Whisenant, Ashville Middle School, St. Clair County Schools Male: Joshua Clarke, Alma Bryant High School, Mobile County Schools

Complete listing of the 2009 NASP State Championship winners.

Winners of the Alabama competition qualify to participate in the NASP United States Invitational Championship in Louisville, Ky. on May 8-9.

The NASP is a joint venture between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and the Alabama Department of Education. The program promotes participation in the lifelong sport of archery as part of a school’s physical education course and after-school programs. Approximately 153 Alabama schools take part in the NASP. The program can 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 isthe 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.

Sponsors of the event included Academy Sports + Outdoors, the Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Alabama Conservation and Natural Resources Foundation, Morrell Manufacturing, Knight and Hale Game Calls, Summit Treestands, Carry-Lite Decoys, Pradco Outdoor Brands, the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association and the Alabama Wildlife Federation.