Murray, Ky., March 17---- When Ainsley Byers claimed second in state at the Kentucky Archery Tournament out of all female elementary participants, and Austin Kemp nabbed eighth place out of all Kentucky male high school seniors, it was a day that was anticipated years ago when the Murray Independent School District Archery program was implemented.
Over one hundred parents and students were present at Murray Middle School in 2007 when MMS hosted the MMS Archery Club introductory meeting to implement the National Archery program. The foresight was a group of parents, educators and a donation from the Radiology Associates of Murray to enable MMS to join the other 580 Kentucky schools who sponsor the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). According to the National Safety Council, that doesn't have any archery accidents listed from the Kentucky NASP programs, ping-pong is the only ball-sport more accident-free than archery.
Fast forward eight years later.
Byers, a fifth grade MMS elementary archery member, was named regional champion in Trigg County's Regional Tournament. Traveling on to state pushed her even further as she took second place at State out of 602 elementary school participants, 338 fifth grade female competitors, and overall ranked 106 out of 1880 competitors.
Randy Louis, MISD Archery coach, said during Byers two-year Tiger Archery participation she always displays exceptional Tiger Traits and outstanding leadership capabilities. "She won a spot at the State tournament by taking first place in the fourth through fifth grade girls regionals by shooting a 259 out of 300. The State tournament was a two day event where Ainsley shot a 279 out of 300 on the opening day and moved into first place. Her score remand in the lead until the final hour. I look forward to working with Ainsley over the next seven year and (no pressure Ainsley) can't wait to see what you do at Nationals in May."
A former MMS Archery member who took a few years off during his high school career, Kemp was recognized with a $1,000 scholarship when he achieved eighth out of 147 senior boys. (Currently, Kemp is ranked 36 out of 765 male high school competitors and overall ranks 44 out of 2350 competitors). "Austin has been an exceptional athlete this year. His score is always consistent along with his attitude," Louis said. "I'm glad to see him return this year and shooting so well and congratulate him on winning the scholarship."
Prior to the NASP State Archery Tournament in Louisville, the MHS Archery Team placed second in the Trigg County regional tournament, while MMS captured third. During Regionals, Lucy Mitchell, an MMS Elementary team member, took third in the Elementary Female Division and Sean Black, sophomore, received fifth place in the high school male division.
Both MMS and MHS sent 43 archery members to compete in the NASP State Archery Tournament in Louisville, where 4230 students representing grades 4-12 throughout Kentucky were present. The MMS and MHS Archery members' performance at regionals prompted another first for the growing MISD Archery program. Based on scoring in the top 100 of their respective divisions, Byers, Kemp and Sophie Bozik, MHS freshman, Aiden Yarbrough, MHS sophomore, Talon Cole, freshman, and Sean Black, sophomore, qualified and received invitations to participate in the Kentucky Bluegrass games, held in April in Midway Kentucky. An invitation only tournament, Bluegrass games is for the top 100 male and female archers by division in the State (elementary, middle and high) based on individual scores at the 14 regional NASP tournaments (combined).
The accolades and growth of the Tiger Archery program is evidence of the strong glue that bound the program together since the initial meeting almost nine years ago. Since that night the program that teaches International Style Target Archery, archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration, and self-improvement has grown from MMS to now include MHS, and three years ago joined the Kentucky High School Athletic Association when KHSAA recognized archery as a state sport activity.
Co-created by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, the Kentucky Department of Education, and Mathews Archery, based in Sparta, Wisconsin, the NASP was initiated to inspire students of all sizes, genders, backgrounds, and abilities to improve their performance at school while learning a skill that promotes appreciation and participation in the outdoors.
NASP statistics report that 54 percent of students involved in the archery class say they feel better about themselves, 49 percent of students indicate they like school better, and 72 percent of students report it provides the opportunity for them to work more closely with their physical education teacher.
Diana Byers said she and her husband, Chuck, who also assists the team as a coach at practice session, agreed "Ainsley's excitement level was as high as they had ever seen it after shooting at the tournament."
The Byers said Archery has been a major factor in a huge leap of her confidence over the past two years of Ainsley's life that carries over into other aspects of their daughter's life. "Archery is a quickly growing sport and I hope that more kids give it a shot. Murray Independent has excellent coaches and bring the kids to levels they thought they could not achieve in the beginning of participating in archery. We are thankful for the support of Mr. Rogers, superintendent, Randy and Rebecca, our coaches, and the many volunteers."
Louis is proud of all the students who participated this year and is sorry to see Murray Middle School's season end early after being eight points shy qualifying for a shot at the National championship tournament. "Our middle school team had a tough run after losing several strong eighth graders from last year. However, they continued on this year raising their scores at each tournament," he explained. "The high school team is doing very well, we have seen some of our highest scores since the beginning of the program almost nine years ago. Although Murray High's team score was down 40 points at State as compared to Regionals, they will advance to the National championship in May."
Louis said there is still one goal for 2015 they are anticipating: Competing in Nashville's World Archery Tournament in July, where Europe and Africa Archery teams will be competing.
Tiger Archery Members: Murray Middle School Archery Team: Jesse Adam, Ellan Blalock, Ainsley Byers, Whitney Dawson, Gavin Doughday, Dire Doughtry, Jason Farmer, Ronni Like, Thomas Lyons, Lucy Mitchell, Coach Rebecca Mitchner, Sam Mitchell, Hannah Moler, Gavin Ohnemus, Thomas Smetana, Stephan Speed, Emma Stallins, Lucinda White, Elizabeth Williams, and Sam Wortham. Murray High School Archery Team: Dylan Alexander, Mary-Peyton Bell, Sean Black, Sophie Bozik, Talon Cole, Amos Darnall, Kyle Faulkner, Cami Hoots, Dan Jackson, Austin Kemp, Minuk Kim, Saea Kim, Bradley Lamb, Sam Lewis, Shelby Louis, Mariah Lyons, Ethan McCoy, Jacob Mitchell, Will Outland, Jake Powell, Chaley Roberts, Alanna Rogers, Ali Schornak, John Smetana, Nic Snellan, Laurie Snellan, Aiden Yarbrough, Bianca Youngman, and Nic Welch.
