Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Dynamic Duo: Layton Jacobson and Sawyer Huso shot side-by-side during their 3D flight and got the same score - 287. The only thing that separated them was a single "ten," or bullseye.
The Rocket archers sure know how to end a season on a high note. After a two-day competition in Sandy, Utah, New Rockford-Sheyenne brought two archers to the winner's circle at the NASP Western National Tournament on April 29.
The five-day journey began at 8 a.m. Wednesday, as 26 archers, two coaches and their chaperones loaded a Harlow's charter bus in front of the NR-S Gym.
They traveled to Gillette, Wyoming on day one, and ended the day with Mexican cuisine from local favorite Armando's Taco & Pasta Shop and a dip in the pool.
The bus pulled into the Holiday Inn Express in Murray, Utah around 5:30 p.m. Thursday after its second 8-hour trek. The team enjoyed a pizza party and more swimming that night, then settled in for so much needed rest before tournament action began Friday, April 28.
Stops at The Living Planet Aquarium and the gigantic Scheel's sporting goods store were on the docket for Friday before they headed to the host site, the Mountain America Exposition Center.
The state champion middle school bullseye team got the opportunity to shoot both bullseye and 3D, and four other archers had their shot in one or both respective divisions.
Friday afternoon was the time for 3D flights. In the 3D competition, the top six scores are combined to represent the team score, which must include at least two scores from each boys and girls.
The Rocket middle school team scored 1,581 total points and ranked eighth out of 28 teams.
The team was led by Sawyer Huso and Layton Jacobson. This dynamic duo shot side-by-side in the 3D competition and came away with the same score, 287, which was also a personal best score for both of them. The only thing separating the two was a single "10" or bullseye. In the event that two or more archers have the same score, the number of tens is used as a tie-breaker.
Huso, a seventh grader, scored one more ten than Jacobson, the reigning national champion in middle school boys' bullseye. He finished third overall among middle school boys, and Jacobson got the fourth place plaque.
Also competing for the Rockets were individual qualifiers Tyler Zieman and Camden Rieger.
Griggs County Central archer Olivia Piatz was named national champion in the elementary girls' 3D division with a 273.
There were 1,214 archers from more than 120 schools in the 3D tournament.
Rocket archers shot their bullseye flights on Saturday afternoon. The middle school team shot at 2 p.m. and the three individual qualifiers in other divisions – Bradyn Collier, Taylin Jacobson and Camden Rieger – got their turn at 3:15 p.m.
In bullseye, the top 12 scores are combined to form the team score, and must include at least four scores from each boys and girls. The Rockets scored 3,133 total points and finished 14th overall out of 27 teams.
Huso led the Rockets in bullseye as well, finishing eighth overall among middle school boys.
The bullseye division had 1,763 archers representing 194 different schools.
The archers returned home Sunday night after a late-night ride to Gillette, Wyo. on Saturday followed by the final leg on Sunday.
For the full two-page section along with sponsors, click on the link at http://www.newrockfordtranscript.com/home/cms_data/dfault/pdfs/misc/2023-05-08.pdf
To see more photos from the tournament, see our gallery, where you can view and purchase photos of your favorite archers: https://transcript.smugmug.com/New-Rockford-Transcript-Photos/Sports/Archery-2023/NASP-Western-National-Tournament-April-28-29/
