The first year for Becker Schools’ newest activity, the Becker Bulldogs archery team, started out strong and just keeps on getting 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 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.
The team has competed in four tournaments this season, Foley, Princeton, Milaca and Alexandria. March 23, they’ll be heading to Stillwater for the Minnesota South Region Tournament, which is a lead-up to state.
Fifty-six of the Bulldogs’ 84 archers will then be heading to the Bulls-Eye State Tournament March 29 and 30. To date the sport hasn’t become large enough that athletes need to qualify to attend.
Because they got a late start this season, the team only had two weeks of practice before their first tournament. Their scores were obviously low, however, archery coach Scott Brake said ever since, every team member’s scores have been moving up quickly.
“The kids are progressing and getting better and better,” he said. “They’ve been practicing and watching archers from other schools. If you can score a 200 out of 300 you’re becoming fairly proficient, and at the Milaca tournament 29 of our kids out of the 60 that attend scored over 200.”
The team has faced a few challenges in its inaugural year. Because they weren’t anticipating how popular the sport would be they didn’t originally have enough equipment for everyone. They were hoping 30 would sign up, they got over 80. Next year Brake expects 100.
Another challenge has been finding practice space; each archer receives two practice sessions per week. Brake has also discovered the targets need to be replaced often as they get beat up quickly with all the arrows being shot each day.
Support for the program has been strong. The team started with nine coaches; eight more were certified just last week and more are interested. Brake expects they’ll have over 20 coaches next year and they’re always looking for more.
“Unlike most sports where you have to develop practice plans, coaching archery isn’t as intensive,” he said. “Mainly you watch their technique and help when asked.”
He’s discovered most of the team now wants their own equipment instead of using the school’s. All archers in NASP are required to use a Genesis bow. Through a fundraiser with Heggie’s Pizza they’re providing opportunities for the students to earn money to help pay for it if they’re interested.
The new team has also had a lot of support from the community. Along with the volunteers, coaches and parents, local businesses and organizations are sponsoring them to help keep costs down for the students and parents, including the Clear Lake Lions, the Santiago Lions, Haller Realty, JD’s Stop & Wash, Liberty Paper, Majestic Creations and Sherburne State Bank.
“We want to show appreciation for everything they’ve done and want to give back,” said Brake. “So, we’re brainstorming ways to do that. For example, we’ll be helping the Clear Lake Lions at their fish fry and volunteering at Palmer Day.”
Next year Brake plans to have registration in October with practices starting November. He’d like to expand into 3D tournaments, which is where foam deer and bear are used instead of bullseyes.
There are also plans for Community Education primary school archery camps this spring and summer for younger kids who can’t join the team yet.
“This sport just keeps growing and growing,” said Brake. “Next year I’m hoping to get more group affiliations, bring in professionals and get in more education before practice actually starts.”
“We want to make it the best experience for kids and parents.”
For more information on the Becker Bulldogs archery team or to volunteer, contact Brake at sbrake@isd726.org.
