The Becker Bulldogs Archery Team’s inaugural year was a success, which they celebrated at their banquet earlier this month.

 

Head Coach Scott Brake was impressed with how far the student archers had come in their first season. 

 

“The season was awesome,” he said. “The kids kept progressing and getting better and better.”

 

The new team is organized in accordance with the National Archery in the School Program (NASP). It’s co-ed and open to students in fourth through 12th grade. 

The sport consists of three divisions; the elementary division for fourth and fifth graders, the middle school division for sixth through eighth grade, and the high school division for ninth through 12th. Each team consists of 12 to 24 students.

 

The Bulldogs competed in six tournaments this season, Foley, Princeton, Milaca, Alexandria, Stillwater, and the State Tournament in Duluth. Brake indicated they’ll have more tournament opportunities next year, and there are plans for the Bulldogs to host their own tournament, tentatively scheduled for March 7.

 

Along with appetizers and a potluck dinner, the team had a “fun shoot” with their parents during their banquet, which was followed by a presentation celebrating everything they’d accomplished this season.

 

Each archer was presented with inaugural season dog tags, and those who  had achieved milestones received additional tags.

 

Fifty-five members of the team reached the 200-score milestone and 39 achieved the 225-milestone. 

 

Fifteen team members reached the 250-score milestone; James Braun, Oliver Emter, Marissa Hook, Nathan Hook, Grace Kampa, Christian Knute, Trevor Lane, Noah McDonald, Haden McKay, Logan Norton, Hunter Nygren, Jackson Nygren, Lucy Pink, Annie Soyring and Gavin Weber.

 

Three archers reached the 275-score milestone; Hunter Nygren, Jackson Nygren and Lucy Pink.

 

The team’s high scorers were announced; elementary girl was Alexis Scheerle with 216, elementary boy was Logan Norton with 255, middle school girl was Lucy Pink with 276, middle school boy was Jackson Nygren with 279, HS girl was Grace Kampa with 273 and HS boy was Hunter Nygren with 276.

 

The first team member to achieve a 50 (five arrows in the center of the target) was Nathan Hook, which he did at 15 meters. Jackson Nygren was the first to achieve a 50 during a tournament, followed by Gavin Weber 10 minutes later at the same tournament.

 

Jackson Nygren was also the first to achieve a 50 at the state tournament. 

 

During the off-season, Brake has organized activities for students interested in the sport. A second and third grade archery camp has been scheduled for May 13, 14, 16, 20, 21 and 22. During the summer another second and third grade archery camp will be offered as well as a 4th through 12th grade open shoot.

 

Next fall Baker is planning a fall fundraiser to help purchase bows and other equipment. Registration will be Sept. 30 through Oct. 11, with an open house on Oct. 8 and parent meeting on Nov. 10. Practice for all archers will officially begin Dec. 2.

 

Brake expressed thanks to the team’s sponsors; LPI, Majestic Creations, Haller Realty, JD’s Stop & Wash, Sherburne State Bank, Clear Lake Lions, Santiago Lions, Monticello Rod & Gun Club and the Kanne Foundation.

 

To show their appreciation  the team has been giving back to the community. They helped out at the Clear Lake Lions’ fish fry and plan to help the Santiago Lions during the garage sale at Bailey Ray’s and during spring clean-up at Santiago Park. They also plan to help at Becker’s Freedom Days and Palmer Days.

For more information on the Becker Bulldogs archery team or to volunteer, contact Brake at sbrake@isd726.org.