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News Release

VDGIF Hosts First National Archery in the Schools Program Tournament

Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) conducted the First Annual National Archery in the Schools Program Tournament on February 28, 2009, at the Augusta Expoland in Fishersville, Virginia. The tournament was held in cooperation with the Western Virginia Sport Show which was held at the same location from February 27-March 1, 2009. This was the first year student teams competed at the same location. Last year, VDGIF held a statewide "virtual" tournament.

This tournament was the "culminating event" for Virginia schools participating in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). Last year, more than 90,000 Virginia students at more than 160 schools participated in NASP. The program is coordinated by the VDGIF Outdoor Education staff. According to Outdoor Education Supervisor Karen Holson, "I'm not sure who was more excited about the archery competition, the students or the teachers. We had a fantastic turnout for our first NASP State Tournament, and these students are already planning for next year's event."

The winners of the 2009 Virginia State NASP Tournament for the following categories are:

Individual Awards: Elementary, Middle and High School

Elementary Girls, Score, School
1st: Peyton Edmondson, 150, Rocky Run Elementary School
2nd: Dymond Bishop, 141, An Achievable Dream Academy Elementary School
3rd: Bekah Carder, 139, Rocky Run Elementary School

Elementary Boys, Score, School
1st: Isiah Gibbs, 187, An Achievable Dream Academy Elementary School
2nd: Michael Richardson, 175, Rocky Run Elementary School
3rd: Xavier Taylor, 175, An Achievable Dream Academy Elementary School

Middle School Girls, Score, School
1st: Becca Lester, 234, Northside Middle School
2nd: Jessica Grant, 221, An Achievable Dream Academy Middle School
3rd: Amanda Cosgrove, 212, Northside Middle School

Middle School Boys, Score, School
1st: Daniel Feivor, 254 Northside Middle School
2nd: Corey Besase, 251, Northside Middle School
3rd: Will Echols, 250, Northside Middle School

High School Girls, Score, School
1st: Danni Foster, 281, Warwick High School
2nd: Jessica Williams, 258, Salem High School
3rd: Sarah Leser, 256, Warwick High School

High School Boys, Score, School
1st: Wayne Veldsman, 267, Hidden Valley High School
2nd: Tay Whiteside, 265, Hidden Valley High School
3rd: Brad Hugus, 258, Hidden Valley High School

Overall State Individual Champions determined by Shoot-off

Girl
Sarah Leser
Warwick High School

Boy
Wayne Veldsman
Hidden Valley High School

TEAM AWARDS:

Elementary Schools, Team Scores
1st: An Achievable Dream Academy Elementary School, 1567
2nd: Rocky Run Elementary School, 1472

Middle Schools, Team Scores
1st: Northside Middle School, 2714
2nd: Chickahominy Middle School, 2164
3rd: An Achievable Dream Academy Middle School, 1734

High Schools, Team Scores
1st: Hidden Valley High School, 2972
2nd: Warwick High School, 2931
3rd: Franklin County High School, 2759

Spirit Award
Franklin County High School

Overall Virginia State Champion Team
Hidden Valley High School, Roanoke, Virginia

About NASP

The National Archery in the Schools Program promotes student education and participation in archery. The program's focus is designed to teach International Archery style target archery in 4th through 12th grades as part of the in-school curriculum. NASP's core content covers archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration, and self-improvement. The students shoot at bulls-eye targets placed in front of an arrow resistant net in their gymnasium or outside. Before presenting archery instruction to their students at school, teachers must undergo an 8-hour instructor certification training program referred to as BAI, Basic Archery Instructor. Certification is conducted by VDGIF Outdoor Education staff and VDGIF-certified volunteers.

NASP started in Kentucky in 2002, and is spreading throughout the United States. Virginia started NASP in 2006, and currently Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries staff and volunteers have trained more than 200 schools and 530 teachers in the Commonwealth. VDGIF has provided and assigned NASP equipment sets to more than 165 schools in Virginia. Teachers report that students are excited about learning archery skills and that young people who have not typically been involved in school and team sports are active in archery.

NASP is a joint venture between state departments of Education and Wildlife. Several archery equipment manufacturers and conservation organizations are also partners. The equipment used for NASP is state-of-the art and designed to fit every student, of all ages and all abilities.

The National Archery in the Schools Program brings the sport of archery to millions of students in schools across the United States. NASP positively influences student attendance, behavior, self esteem, confidence and on task behaviors.

For more information and to get your school and teachers involved in NASP, contact VDGIF Outdoor Education Supervisor and Virginia State NASP Coordinator Karen Holson at 804-367-6355 or Karen.Holson@dgif.virginia.gov. For more information about NASP visit the Department's website at www.dgif.virginia.gov/events/virginia-nasp-tournament.

It is the mission of the VDGIF to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia's fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities.

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High resolution photos are available by contacting Lee Walker at lee.walker@dgif.virginia.gov.

NASP Individual First Place Winners (click to enlarge)

NASP 2009 State Champion Team (click to enlarge)