May 20, 2016 – Benton Middle School's Aidan Haire and Abbie Rutledge and Northwood High School's Shelby Stout have been named to the 2016 National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) Middle School Division All-Academic Team, NASP announced Thursday.

"These student archers not only excelled on the range but also were recognized by their school for proficiency in the classroom,'' NASP said. "NASP is proud to recognize these top student archers as they provide an excellent scholastic example for all NASP participants in 47 states, eight Canadian provinces and nine other countries.''

Haire and Rutledge, both eighth graders, helped lead Benton Middle School to the NASP Middle School Division National Team Championship on May 12-14.

Haire was the top male shooter from Louisiana with a score of 292. That put him 10th among middle school boys and 47th overall amongst males. Shelby Stout, a sixth grader from Northwood High School, tied for 17th among middle school boys and 75th overall amongst males with a score of 291.

Rutledge finished 15th in the girls middle school division and 48th overall amongst females with a score of 290.

"NASP began the Academic Archer program this year to recognize students not just for their achievements on the range but also in the classroom,'' said Robert Stroede, the Archery in Louisiana Schools (ALAS) state coordinator who oversees the program for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LWDF). "This is a great achievement for these students and I'm sure a proud moment for their parents, teachers and schools. We'd like to offer our congratulations.''

All Louisiana students and schools who participated in the NASP National Tournament are part of the ALAS program, which is designed to teach students in grades 4-12 international target style archery.

The ALAS/NASP program is available to all schools in Louisiana and grants are available to assist with funding. For more information regarding the ALAS program, please contact NASP state coordinator Robert Stroede at rstroede@wlf.la.gov or 318-484-2276.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.