http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2335960.png>

Louisville, Ky., famous for the great Ali, baseball bats and fast horses, once again hosted the popular annual National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) national tournament. This was NASP's 15th national tournament since its inception March 3, 2002. Student archers, coaches, parents, and friends from 41 states and Washington, DC gathered at the Louisville Exposition Center from May 11-13 for three record-breaking tournaments under one roof.

In addition to the nearly 30,000 friends and family in attendance, 14,492 youth were present and eager to participate in the world's largest archery tournament--a 12.4-percent increase over the 2016 nationals. Not only did NASP see an increase in the bulls-eye competition, but the International Bowhunting Organization 3D Challenge (NASP/IBO/3D Challenge) entertained 4,123 shooters, 600 more than last year. Finally, 1,850 participated in Centershot Ministries' ("archery in the church") tournament, double the record attendance established in 2016. Including participants, more than 45,000 people attended, including the 240 hard-working volunteers that make this event possible every year.

Shooters competed in elementary, middle school, and high school divisions. Like previous tournaments, there were 20 flights, and each flight was 75 minutes in length. As the bulls-eye competition commenced, each archer took to their assigned lane where each shot five practice and 15 scoring arrows from both 10 and 15 meter shooting lines. A perfect score of 300 (30 bullseyes) has never been shot at Nationals, but several come close.

In the elementary division, Austin Hall, a fifth grader from Northern Elementary, received top honors with his score of 292. From White Hall Elementary, fifth grader Olivia Lyle achieved the top female category with her score of 288. From the middle school division, Henry Thompson, an eighth grader from Anderson County Middle School, achieved the top male category with a score of 298, and Emmaline Kleinman from Crosby Middle School took the top female spot with a score of 294. From the high school division, Chance Seabolt, an eleventh grader from North Murray High School, was high scorer in the male category with a 298. Bailey White, also an eleventh grader from Lawrence County High School achieved the top female rank with her score of 298. Truly a co-gender sport, 47 percent of the participants were female and the top boy and top girl BOTH shot a near perfect 298 out of a possible 300.

The national tournament wouldn't be complete without the scholarship shoot-off. During this part of the tournament, the top five male and female archers had a chance to shoot for an array of cash scholarships to be utilized for any post-secondary education of their choosing. This year NASP presented $105,000 in individual cash scholarships. The results of the scholarship shoot-off are as follows: In the male category, T. Sanchez was the winner of the $20k scholarship. Henry Thompson won $15k scholarship, Todd Craghead received the $10k scholarship, Aiden Jones received $5k, and Chance Sabot received $2.5k. In the female category, winning the $20k scholarship was Sydney Vivian. Samantha Hartman-Stackhouse received $15k, Bailey White $10k, Maria Zielinkski, shooting a borrowed bow, won the $5k scholarship, and finally, Anne Reinkemeyer received $2.5k in cash scholarships. Congratulations archers!

Team scholarships were also awarded to each of the 24 members of the first, second and third placing High School teams. Thanks to Academy Sports each of the first place HS team members was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Easton Technical Products provided $750 to each of the second place HS team members, and American Whitetail Targets provided $500 to each third place HS team member.

Easton Technical Products, title sponsor of the NASP Academic Archer Program, awarded a prize package to the top male and female Academic Archer in each of the three bullseye divisions – elementary, middle school and high school. Each prize package included Easton arrows, Easton accessories, a Delta McKenzie Target and a Hoyt bow of their choice.

As the 2017 NASP nationals wrapped up on Mother's Day weekend and kids returned home, the program and its top achievers prepare for fun in the sun at the 2017 world tournament in Orlando, Fla., July 21 - 22 at the Orange County Convention Center.

For further information and results, visi www.nasptournaments.org.

- Brittany Jones, NASP