Published: March 16, 2008 12:44 am            

MARTINO: School program brings young archers to Kokomo

Some 500 youths showed off their skills

Erica Johnson placed the aluminum arrow on the string and in one fluid motion drew back her Hoyt compound bow — eyes focused intently on the paper target’s multi-colored bull’s-eye. Relaxing her fingers the arrow flew downrange in a blur. A confident smile crossed her face. Her shot was perfect.

This scene was repeated many times as hundreds of children came together last Friday for the scholastic state archery tournament held in Kokomo.

Indiana’s second annual National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament was held at the Johanning Civic Center. Some 180 students representing eight schools participated in the inaugural tournament last year. This year more than 500 children representing 23 schools took part in the unique program.

Supported as a joint venture between school corporations throughout the state and the DNR, NASP provides international target archery training in Indiana schools physical education classes, grades 4 through 12. NASP is a strong proponent of student education and introduces many of life’s skills through the lifelong sport of archery.

“It is our hope that this will lead to many new indoor and outdoor activities,” said Indiana’s NASP coordinator Tim Beck.

“Students are enthusiastic about learning archery,” said a teacher from Twin Lakes School in Monticello. She also noted student behavior and attendance is improved on days when archery is presented in PE class. “Students who normally resisted PE are eager to participate in archery. It makes school more fun.”

Educators from across the state have reported the NASP program “helps to engage the unengaged.” It aspires students to greater achievement in school.

In times when obesity is at an all time high among our youth, archery provides another venue of healthy physical activity. Archery is a nondiscriminatory sport. It helps build muscle endurance, flexibility, develop hand-eye coordination, grip and upper body strength. You don’t have to be six-foot-two and able to dunk a basketball to participate. Girls can compete along side boys and even youngsters with physical disabilities can participate.

“We have been working hard to get schools from Howard County involved,” said Kokomo archery pro Rocky Kline, who helped with the program. “There are dozens of schools from across the state represented here today, but none from Howard County.”

The tournament would not be possible without the generosity of many groups, organizations and businesses. The Indiana Field Archery Association provided the expertise in running the event along with many volunteers. Numerous Indiana Conservation officers from around the state were also in attendance providing help in keeping the tourney safe and organized. The Indiana Hunter Education Association was the underwriting sponsor of the tournament.

The competition is open only to schools that have received archery training provided by the DNR Law Enforcement Division. The program is supported and funded through school corporations, Indiana’s Hunter Education Association, individual donations, conservation organizations and corporate sponsors like the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Upcoming tournament schedule

With the bass fishing season ready to cut loose, Bullseye Outdoor Sports has announced its upcoming tournament trail schedule. This is one of central Indiana’s most popular contests.

• Lake Tippecanoe — April 27;

• Mississinewa Reservoir — May 18;

• Lake Shafer — June 21;

• Geist Reservoir — July 12;

• Morse Reservoir — Aug. 3;

• Salamonie Reservoir — Sept. 20.

In addition, two open-team tournaments have also been scheduled benefiting children who will take part in this summer’s 25th annual Jim “Moose” Carden Kokomo Kids Fishing Clinic. The first event will take place May 10 at Mississinewa Reservoir from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Kokomo Reservoir will be the location of the second event held May 17.

Additional tournament details may be obtained by calling Roby’s Bullseye at (765) 459-0077.

The first Hoosier Open Team Bass Tournament will also take place March 30 on Patoka Reservoir. No membership is required. For entries or information call (812) 525-7815.

John Martino is the Tribune’s outdoors columnist. He may be reached through the sports department at (765) 454-8574.

        

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