Joel E. Barber C-5 archers will once again nock their arrows in a national competition.
The team will compete at the Eastern 3-D and Bullseye National Tournaments this year, which take place May 7-9 in the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky, according to the National Archery in Schools Program Tournaments website. Coach Melissa Willoughby said the team competes May 8.
Last year, the Record had written the 3-D tournament was the first national competition the team has qualified for.
This year, according to one of the team’s coaches, Mike Moberly, the archery team had won three tournaments.
Moberly said the team typically practices four days a week, two days of bullseye and two days of 3-D, for an hour. Eighth grader Zadie says the team is practicing once a week now before nationals.
Zadie said she was not as worried as last year because, having previously competed at the national level, she would be more prepared for the sound of the spectators. Eighth grader Brady said he now knew what to expect.
One of the challenges Zadie discussed in archery was maintaining her concentration, leading Moberly to concur and note archery’s similarity to golf in their shared requirement of concentration and technique.
Brady commented on the comradery of the team.
“We’re all just like a big family,” he said.
For another sports story, see Wednesday's LCR.
