White County Middle School won first place in the National Archery in the Schools Program State Championships.
Assistant Coach Natalye Steele said she is extremely proud of the team’s work as they have been practicing for at least eight hours every week since October. Steele said the team will take a couple weeks off and then dive back into training for nationals in Louisville, Kentucky this May.
“I think showing that their hard work and dedication actually mean something and they, it really proves that if you do work hard it does pay off in the end,” Steele said. “So I think I hope that the kids take that, not just in archery but in life as well, that if you work hard it does pay off in the end.”
Head Coach Bryan Steele said the win feels unbelievable as this is the team’s first year at the school. Bryan Steele said the victory has caused an unreal outpouring of excitement and support from the community.
“It already has impacted the archery program,” Bryan Steele said. “The parents and the community, they just piled in and gave the kids a joyous welcome home.”
High School Coach Mickye Steele said the high school started a 3-D archery team last year and the middle school began one this year. Mickye Steele said 3-D archery is when competitors shoot at three-dimensional animal targets at staggered distances instead of a stationary bullseye.
“I told the middle school kids, I said if you will prove to me that you will work hard and do it, I said I’ll start you a middle school 3-D team,” Mickye said. “And lo and behold, first year out of the gate, state champions.”
Elementary Coach Larry Daniels said it is an amazing feeling to start at the ground level and watch the students grow and improve their skills.
“You spend so much time with them you think that they’re your kids,” Daniels said. “So that state title is something that, even for us coaches, it’s just amazing to have under our belt. It’s not under our belt, me and (Elementary Coach Joe Cannon), we’re just getting them ready for them, but it’s still amazing to see.”
