Nearly 5,000 student archers compete for NASP World titles.
A total of 4,871 highly competitive student archers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Namibia came to Nashville July 22-25 for the National Archery in the Schools (NASP®) 2015 World Tournament at the Music City Center.
The large increase in attendance broke the previous NASP world tournament record of 2,907 students in 2013.
Youth archers competed in 29 flights, with nearly 190 archers per flight, at distances of 10 and 15 meters (32.8 and 49.2 feet). Awards were given to top teams and individuals in Elementary, Middle and High School divisions.
More than 20 ties occurred, nearly double the norm, and ties were broken in front of the crowd assembled for the awards ceremony. Each archer who was tied shot five practice arrows from 15 meters, then five scored arrows from the same distance.
Top Male High School champion is Shane Karls from Hartland, Mich., who scored 298 out of 300. “I am so happy all of my practice paid off, and that my family came to watch,” Shane said. “Coming in first was not on my mind. I knew I had the ability, but I realize there are so many others that do as well.”
The runner up with a score of 297 was David Machart from Anamosa High School, Anamosa, Iowa.
In the Female High School competition, Mary Aldridge of Western Hills and Marissa Phillips of Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, both in Kentucky, were tied after the main event with 295s. Mary won the tiebreaker.
“Winning World this year was something I never expected. My practice time had been limited due to several weeks of preparation and attendance at the Kentucky Governors School for the Arts,” Mary said. “Going into the tournament, I made up my mind to focus on technique and not results. This makes the surprise of this win even more thrilling. Thank you, NASP."
Male Middle School division winner was Mitchell Ritter, Ringling Public Schools in Oklahoma, who shot a 297. Runner-up Henry Thompson from Anderson County Middle School, Kentucky, shot a 294.
In the Female Middle School category, Lakyn Wilson, Southwestern Jefferson County Schools in Indiana, recorded a 293 to win first place. Runner-up accolades went to Heidi Jo McGrady of Logan Hocking Middle School in Ohio with a 291.
Ryan Hinds of Kentucky’s Shopville Elementary dominated the Elementary School division male category with a score of 293. The runner up was awarded to Lane Mollenhauer of Central City Community Schools in Iowa who shot a 292.
In the Elementary School female category, first place was earned by Emma Bunch of Benton Elementary in Louisiana with 292. Runner up Shyanne Iles of Piner Elementary in Kentucky shot 285.
Team Competition
NASP places much focus on entire teams. Each team is comprised of 12 to 24 archers with both genders on every team. The top 12 scores for the team, including at least four of both genders, are summed and ranked. A perfect team score would be 3,600 points.
Michigan’s Hartland High School won top High School team honors with a score of 3,447. Louisiana’s Benton Middle and Elementary Schools won their respected divisions with 3,367 and 3,290 points.
NASP/IBO 3D Challenge
Since 2014, the International Bowhunting Organization has also conducted a NASP/IBO 3D Challenge where simulated (foam) turkey, coyote, bear, antelope, deer and mountain sheep are the targets. This year, 1,139 students enthusiastically participated, taking a break from shooting bull’s-eyes.
Gerdus Visser, the top High School male shooter from Labori High School Paarl of Western Cape, South Africa, shot a score of 294. Gerdus is the first South African student archer to win the NASP world tournament.
Runner up status went to Isaiah Mullins of Lincoln County High School in Kentucky, also with a 294. Gerdus’s score included 25 bull’s-eyes while Isaiah shot 24 bull’s-eyes. The difference in bull’s-eyes separated first and second place.
In the female category, April Bartenschlag of Philo High School in Ohio took first place with a score of 291. The runner up was Mary Aldridge with a score of 290 from Western Hills High School in Kentucky who also won the bull’s-eye event.
In the Middle School male category, Austin Miller of Forestbrook Middle School in South Carolina shot 290 with a total bull’s-eye score of 22. Runner up was Christian Blair who also shot 290, but with 21 bull’s-eyes.
In the Middle School female category, Findely Stillwell of Forestbrook Middle School in South Carolina shot 289. Lakyn Wilson of Kentucky’s Southwestern Jefferson County Schools also shot 289. After the tiebreaker, Findley took first place.
In the Elementary Division, Max Wangler of Sarcoxie Elementary, Missouri, scored 289 for top male archer honors, and runner up Collin Wehr of Westridge Elementary, Kentucky, with 284. In the female Elementary Division, first place went to Sarah Bragg of Hartland School with 275. Runner up Hope Strickdorn of Crooksville Elementary, Ohio, shot 274.
Up next for the young competitors is the 3-Star 3D Challenge in Ellicottville, New York, for the NASP/IBO 3D Outdoor World Tournament. Student archers who participated in NASP Nationals in Louisville and NASP Worlds in Nashville will also vie for the 3-star series awards. Cash scholarships will be presented.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provided most of the volunteer lane officials and equipment to conduct another safe and fun event.
NASP® supporting companies Morrell Targets provided all the targets, and Easton Technical Products provided arrows. Information about NASP medal level sponsors and more information about the organization and tournament can be seen at http://naspschools.org/sponsors/ and www.naspschools.org.