More than 500 students are registered for this year’s event, almost doubling last year’s number of participants. Sponsored by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and Tennessee Tech, some of the Volunteer State’s best student archers will again participate in this year’s event. The NASP began in Tennessee in 2004 and has seen tremendous growth since its inception.

 

There will be three divisions. Schools will compete in the elementary, middle school and high school divisions. Awards will be presented to the top team and individual finishers in each division.

 

The public is welcome and invited to attend. There is no admission charge.

 

All three winners from last year will return to defend titles in their respective divisions. Warren County Middle School was also honored last year by posting the best overall team score. Clarksville’s Northwest High School is aiming for its third title in as many years in the high school division. Meigs County was the winner in the elementary school category.

 

Last year’s top overall individual winners will also return. Leanetta Anderson from Siegel Middle School had the honor of posting the top score by a female participant. Warren County Middle School’s Kyle Pelham had the highest individual male score in leading his team to the top overall score.

 

This will mark the second year for the NASP State Championships to be held in the Hyder-Burks Agricultural Pavilion. Competition will be held in six flights with the first flight to begin at  8:30 a.m. and continuing until the final flight starts at 3 p.m. The awards ceremony is expected to begin at 4:30.

 

Tennessee began NASP in late 2004 with 12 pilot schools participating in the program. The number of schools has gone to more than 100 that now participate in the program. NASP is a two-week curriculum taught during school that teaches Junior Olympic style target archery.

 

Each student will shoot 30 arrows, 15 from 10 meters and 15 from 15 meters with a maximum score of 300. The top team and individual in each division automatically receives a bid to compete in the National NASP Tournament to be held May 8-9 in Louisville, Ky.

 

If a school or teacher is interested in starting a NASP program, please contact Don Crawford, Assistant Chief of Information and Education at [email protected] or (615) 781-6542 or Matt Clarey, Regional Training Coordinator in TWRA Region III at [email protected] or 1-800-262-6704 or (931) 484-9571.