DEC Hosts 13th Annual National Archery in the Schools Tournament

430 Youth Archers Stay on Target in 2021 State Tournament

St. Joseph by-the-Sea Wins High School Division for Sixth Straight Year

For the thirteenth consecutive year, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently hosted a successful state archery tournament for New York schools that participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).

"In a school year that has been unlike any other, the National Archery in Schools Program helped maintain a sense of normalcy for students by continuing to provide an opportunity to compete and sharpen their archery skills," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "I applaud this program, participating students, and coaches for following COVID-19 safety guidelines to ensure a smooth and successful competition."

Typically, hundreds of students travel to Syracuse for the in-person NASP tournament, competing against student archers from across the state. Guided by COVID-19 safety precautions, the 2020 and 2021 state tournaments were held virtually as school-based tournaments. Archers were required to compete at their schools and submit scores online. In addition to making sure the range was set up properly, coaches and students also had to ensure their range met all COVID safety protocols and archers followed social distancing guidelines. The NASP curriculum is easily modified to allow for social distancing on the range.

Eighteen schools from 11 counties participated in the 2021 state tournament. The 430 students competed from their home schools in one of three divisions: high school (grades 9-12); middle school (grades 6-8); and elementary school (grades 4-5). Andrew Mullen from Norwich High School in Chenango County, had the top overall score and placed first among male archers in the high school division with a score of 288 out of 300 possible points. Grace Groves, from Arkport Central School in Steuben County, was the top overall female archer, earning 1st place in the middle school division with a score of 284. Both winners will receive a trophy and a New York Champion Genesis bow and bow case. Awards are also given in each of the three divisions for first through tenth places.

The first-place team in the high school division was St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, Richmond County, for the sixth year in a row. The first-place team in the middle school division was Arkport Central School, Steuben County, and the first-place team in the elementary school division was Hinsdale Central School District, Cattaraugus County. For the full list of results, visit the tournament website.

NASP is hosting the U.S. National Tournament as a virtual event this year. Apart from past years, when archers competed in their respective state tournament to qualify, the only qualification for registration in 2021 is being part of an active NASP school. This open NASP tournament will allow local archers to be part of a national event with other archers from all over the country.

For more information on how schools can become involved in NASP in New York, visit DEC's website. To learn more about the National Archery in the Schools Program, visit the NASP website.

Photos courtesy of NYSDEC:

Genesee Valley youth archer

St. Joseph-by-the-Sea female student archers

St. Joseph-by-the-Sea male student archers

https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/press.html