PIERRE, S.D. -- Young archers from across South Dakota gathered in Rapid City on April 2, and Yankton on April 7, to claim top honors in the 2017 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournaments. The tournaments are sponsored by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).

The Rapid City tournament was held at East Middle School with 39 schools and 487 archers competing. Trophies were awarded to the top three teams and individuals in each division. Customized bows were awarded to the top individual in each division.

Rapid City team results:
Elementary
1. Cheyenne-Eagle Butte #1
2. Gettysburg
3. Cheyenne-Eagle Butte #2

Middle School
1. Dakota Christian
2. Gettysburg
3. RC East Middle

High School
1. Rapid City Central
2. Avon
3. Jones County

Rapid City individual results:
Elementary
1. Elijah Brewer, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte
2. Brock Ducheneaux, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte
3. Tristen Host, Jones County

Middle School
1. Gage Kienast, RC East Middle
2. Matthew Birkeland, Jones County
3. Lexie Vander Pol, Dakota Christian

High School
1. Austin Stromberg, McCook Central
2. Jacob Birkeland, Jones County
3. Sarah Voss, Rapid City Central

The Yankton tournament held at the National Field Archery Association Easton Archery Facility and featured life-size, 3D targets of game animals of South Dakota. Students were required to shoot at six different targets from various distances.

Yankton team results:
Elementary Division
1. Cheyenne-Eagle Butte #1
2. Dakota Christian
3. Cheyenne-Eagle Butte #2

Middle School
1. Dakota Christian
2. Cheyenne-Eagle Butte
3. Rock Creek Grant School

High School
1. Dakota Christian
2. Avon
3. Canton

Yankton individual results:
Elementary Division
1. Elijah Brewer, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte
2. Brock Ducheneaux, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte
3. Jaden Martin, Rock Creek Grant School

Middle School
1. Madison Stroud, McCook Central
2. Brianna Smith, Lyman
3. Lexie Vander Pol, Dakota Christian

High School
1. Isabel Pheifer, Dakota Christian
2. Jacob Birkeland, Jones County
3. Kendall Veenstra, Dakota Christian

"South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks would like to thank all of the sponsors, volunteers, spectators and participants in this year's event," stated Patrick Klotzbach, GFP-NASP coordinator. "The archers were of exceptional quality. I was especially pleased by the level of sportsmanship exhibited by these student athletes."

For information on how your school can become part of next year's tournament, email outdoorprogramming@gmail.com or call 605.220.2130. NASP in South Dakota is sponsored by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.