West Virginia Teams to Compete in 2008 National Archery Tournament May 10 in Louisville, Kentucky

            Several West Virginia public school teams will compete in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) 2008 National Archery Tournament on May 10, 2008, in the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.  Teams from Cabell-Midland High School (Cabell County), Tucker County High School, and Ripley Middle School and Ripley High School (both from Jackson County) have registered to participate in the tournament. In addition, two individuals from John Marshall High School (Marshall County) and one individual from Cameron High School (Marshall County) have also registered to participate in the tournament. All these schools and individuals qualified to participate by meeting certain standards at the West Virginia Archery in the Schools State Tournament held March 1 in Summersville, West Virginia.

            “We are extremely encouraged so many teams and individuals from West Virginia will be participating in this year’s NASP National Tournament,” said Jerry Westfall, Coordinator for the West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program.  “I think this speaks to the growing success of the West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program.  We certainly wish the teams and individuals from West Virginia the best of luck in the NASP National Tournament, and we hope the involvement of these teams and individuals will encourage others from around the state to participate in both next year’s state and national tournaments.”

            Although the West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program, part of the NASP, is really geared to generate participation rather than competition, competition does seem to generate excitement in the program.  “Some students are more motivated by competition than just participation, so both state and national tournaments are very useful to the program as a whole.  Participation in a national competition is something these students will remember for the rest of their lives,” said Westfall.

            Although registration is now closed for the NASP National Tournament, schools and individuals in West Virginia are encouraged to consider attending next year’s state tournament and the NASP National Tournament. Schools not yet participating in the West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program are encouraged to find out more information by going to www.wvdnr.gov/archery or by calling (304) 558-2771.