Becker Schools is now offering another activity for their students to participate in, the new Becker Bulldogs archery team. Although archery has been in schools for a while now, this is the first year it has been offered as a club at Becker. 

 

“It’s kind-of been under the radar but is growing fast,” said archery coach and middle school physical education teacher Scott Brake.

 

Last year middle school PE teacher Alyssa Stevens wrote a grant that was matched by the DNR to get archery established at the middle school.

 

The people behind the Eric J. Kanne Memorial Archery Tournament that is held at the Becker Field House each year heard about the sport being brought into the middle school when they asked the district to help during their 2018 tournament. They told them they needed to start a club in Becker.

 

The school held a parent meeting in November to determine the interest in bringing the sport into Becker; it was strongly attended.

 

They then contacted the heads of the Milaca archery program, who took the time to meet with them to give advice and explain how their program is run.

Last month an open house was held at the Middle School for parents and students to learn more about the new club and try out the equipment.

 

“We were expecting it to be busy,” said Brake. “We hoped for 30 to 40 kids; 80 ended up registering, more than double what we were expecting.”

 

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 twelfth 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 twelfth. Each team consists of 12 to 24 students.

 

“Dusty Wright, coach of the Becker High School Bass Fishing team, has been very helpful,” said Brake. “They’re in their third year as a club and we’ve been following their blueprint. We’re a little late on the start, so everyone needs to remember to be patient. We’re ironing out the wrinkles this year.”

 

The new team’s first practice was Tuesday. Held in the middle school gym, coaches are trying to work in eight scheduled practices per week, which allows each athlete two practice sessions. Currently the days and times are varying, as there are a number of other sports also utilizing the space.

 

“The support has been amazing,” said Brake. “Volunteers, coaches, applicants, parents. Financially people are donating and sponsoring.”

 

The archery season runs from January through March. This year the Bulldogs archery team will be competing in three invitational tournaments as well as the State Tournament in Duluth March 29 and 30.

 

“We want to provide a meaningful experience to the students even though we’re new,” said Brake.

 

Students learn more than how to use a bow and arrows when they participate in archery. The sport also helps them learn focus, self-control, discipline and patience.