Submitted photo Pictured, in front, from left, are: Baiden Blosser and Taylor Blystone. In back are: Darrion Craig, Michael Patterson and Callan Paterson.

Last Saturday, the Tidioute Community Charter School archery team participated in the Central Valley “Groundhog Day” NASP state-qualifying tournament in Monaca.

Over 259 archers participated in the tournament from 13 different schools. Some archers even traveled from Wheeling, West Virginia, to attend. TCCS brought 20 archers to the tournament.

One of the highlights of the tournament was new archer, Jordan Leach (grade 11), who shot a 249 out of 300 in his first tournament ever, and placed as Tidioute’s highest scorer. Leach shot six bullseyes on his way to placing 35th out of high school boys.

“You just don’t expect a new archer to come in and shoot that well,” said TCCS coach Michael Patterson. “He was excellent at 10 meters, and he’s only going to get better at the 15-meter mark. It was an impressive outing.”

Junior Darrion Craig earned a 233 and freshman Trent Adams racked up 228 points with three bullseyes.

Leading for the TCCS high school girls was senior Callan Patterson who scored a 244, followed by junior Baiden Blosser, who posted a 240, sophomore Taylor Blystone who shot a 239, and junior Makayla Kronenwetter who shot a 224. This was Blosser’s second tournament ever, and she shot 103 points above her first tournament score.

“(Blosser) started off great, and just kept shooting well throughout the rounds,” said NASP coach Matt Irons.

For the middle school, Wyatt Greeley earned a 244, placing 28th out of all middle school archers followed by Emerson Schantz who shot a 237 with five bullseyes and Alex Foster with a 228.

Archers need to participate in at least two qualifying tournaments to later participate in the state NASP Tournament later this year.

The team has another tournament coming up on Feb. 24 at Riverside School in Ellwood.

The National Archery in the Schools Program is an in-school program aimed at improving educational performance among students in grades 4-12. And through it, students are learning focus, self-control, discipline, patience and the life lessons required to be successful in the classroom and in life.