Champaign and Vermilion County Schools Tops in Youth Archery Tournament
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources hosted the National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament March 22 in Springfield. More than 870 young men and women competed in the day-long event held at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Schools from Champaign and Vermilion Counties took top honors in the team competition.
Schlarman Academy of Danville took first place in the High School Division. Schlarman Academy recorded a team score of 3,279 to best second place Roberto Clemente High School of Chicago which took second place with 3,250. Armstrong-Potomac High School of Armstrong took third place with a score of 3,200.
Jefferson Middle School of Champaign won the Middle School division and turned in the top overall score of 3,305. GRF Middle School of Georgetown was second with 3,171. Pinckneyville Jr. High took third place with 3,131. Armstrong-Potomac Grade School won the Elementary division with a score of 2,624.
Daniel Weyers of Canton High School had the meet’s high score, with a score of 290 of a possible 300. Maddy Brown of Jefferson Middle School had the highest score for a female competitor with 285.
“Promoting youth participation in outdoor sports is one of our top priorities,” said Marc Miller, Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “We are gratified to see the continued growth of the archery program and are thrilled to host the state tournament each year.”
Members of the Illinois Archery Association provide invaluable volunteer assistance to help run the state tournament each year. Conservation groups support the program by providing grants to schools to help defray expenses of starting a program.
“Over the past seven years, Illinois Whitetails Unlimited chapters have helped cover startup costs for 35 schools,” said Darel Martin, Field Director for Whitetails Unlimited Inc. “I’m proud that Illinois Chapters of WTU have stepped up help get this great program started throughout the state.”
For more information about the National Archery in the Schools Program in Illinois, e-mail jeff.hopkins@illinois.gov or joe.robinson@illinois.gov.
General interest photos from the tournament, group pictures of the top school in each division, and headshots of the top male and female finishers are available. E-mail chris.young@illinois.gov. To see photos, visit the IDNR Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Illinois-Department-of-Natural-Resources/101691346567146
