Young archers take flight with National Archery in the Schools Program

This isn't Coach Risovi's first archery practice. He knows how to prepare young archers for the first archery tournament of the season.

Many of these young archers will be attending their first tournament on Saturday, Jan. 11 in Carrington. As Coach Risovi has said before, "There are two things we try to make priorities when going to tournaments. Number one, we represent the school and community as best as we can. After that, we hope to shoot our best score."

For these up and coming archers, it is key to master the skills and etiquette needed to be a successful participant at an archery tournament. If their practice can be any sign, it seems these students are on the right path.

They lined up 10 at a time and quietly waited. When the whistle blew, they retrieved their bows and returned to the line. At the next whistle, they moved forward to the flight line, where arrows waited. Students we reminded to keep their bows facing forward, so not to bump their neighbors.

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for- the whistle to begin the flight. For many of these archers, they are just beginning, and as with all good things, it will take time. Plenty of arrows clattered and fell to the floor, but when one stuck - I mean really stuck - in that target, the sound was triumphant.

A total of 83 students grades 4-12 are participating in the National Archery in the Schools Program at NR-S this year.