By Quintin Harlan, Herald Bulletin Sports Writer
MUNCIE — Student-athletes from 37 schools converged on the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie for the 2010 Indiana NASP State Archery Tournament, and 27 of those schools will be moving on in the elementary, middle and high school divisions to the national tournament May 7 in Louisville, Ky.
Unfortnuately, Anderson Preparatory Academy and Anderson High School won’t be among those advancing as they were eliminated after the morning session Friday.
“Today’s tournament was fantastic,” said tournament director Tim Beck. “We had 850 kids from all across Indiana. I couldn’t be happier. We had almost a 40 percent increase over last year.”
Castle High School won the team competition by a single point over second-place Boonville 3,272 to 2,271. East Noble finished in third place.
The girls champion was Jessica Workman from East Noble who finished with a total of 295 points. The best local finisher in the girls event was Anderson High’s Victoria Kennedy who ended the day with 249 points.
Anderson Preparatory Academy’s James Chastain was the top finisher among the local boys participants with a score of 256. Castle’s Ryan Beard was the top finisher among the boys high school competitiors.
For the APA girls, Meghan Johnston scored 247, Tanner Madewell 225 and Miranda Newland 179.
For the Anderson High School girls, Hayley Berryman had 226, Dani Smith 222, Kelly Hoins 206, Shianne Bishop 187, Andrea Petty 173 and Madison Bischoff 151.
In the boys’ standings for Anderson Preparatory Academy, Chastain had 256, Max Secler 244, Joey Blair 239, Joseph Shipley 235, Evan Shipley 230, Collin Gallagher 227, Matthew Johnson 224, Caleb Riggins 216, James Wilken 214, Brian McKinzie 211, Marc Seig 187, Ian Evens 169 and Nathan Carrell 157.
For Anderson High School, Aaron Wilhoit had 249, Colton Gray 229, Tony Tan 228, Cole Zook 226, Brandon Broades 208, Evan Dorff 206, Brady Gillem 203, Travis Ray 199, Daniel Maynard 197, Silas McDill 187, Devin Kemeker 133 and Tony Markwell 119.
For the tournament’s director the scores were important but the opportunity for the participants to compete in archery was the bigger thrill.
“The biggest thing about the tournament is for the teams to get together in commradarie and sportsmanship,” said Beck. “A lot of the kids here, this is an alternative sport for them. Our biggest goal is to give them a fun atmostphere and some competition and enjoy the sport.”
