National Archery in the Schools Kentucky state championship March 18-19 in Louisville

Posted March 12, 2013 at 7:15 pm

The 2013 National Archery in the Schools (NASP) state championship will be held March 18-19 at Louisville’s International Convention Center.

“We’re anticipating about 3,500 student archers from more than 150 Kentucky schools,” said Patrick O’Connell, state NASP coordinator. “Elementary, middle and high school students will compete for individual and team awards.”

It’s the 12th state tournament in Kentucky since the program began in 2001. Competition begins daily at 9 a.m. Eastern time. Admission is $5 for those 12 years of age and older.

“Archery is now a Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) sport activity so we’ll crown a high school boy, girl and team KHSAA state champion for the first time,” said O’Connell.

Tournament participants may be eligible to receive a free youth sportsman’s hunting license from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, as part of their ongoing efforts to recruit new hunters. Boys and girls who are 11 to 15 years of age and can show proof that they have completed their hunter education certification and are first time license holders will receive the free license. Pre-registration is encouraged prior to the tournament. Visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov for details.

“Students who have taken the hunter education course online, but have not satisfied the range requirement, will be able to do so at an indoor air gun range we will have set up,” said Brenda Ward-Hill, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife exposition administrator. “After they complete the range training and get their hunter education certification, they will be eligible to receive a free youth sportsman’s license.”

For more information e-mail Brenda Hill at: Brenda.Hill@ky.gov.

“We’re still looking for that first perfect score of 300 points in the state championship,” said O’Connell. “The current record is 298 points, which is amazing considering it’s competition in the bare bow class. No sights are allowed on the bows and it’s finger shooting only. No mechanical releases are allowed.”