HINTON W.Va. (Hinton News) – Recently, local archery coach Marty Mann spoke about her team and two outstanding players. The following is a breakdown of what she had to say about the team, the recent competition and more.
According to Mann, The National Archery in Schools program doesn’t discriminate based on gender, athletic skill, size, academic ability, or popularity. She went on to explain that even students with disabilities can participate. The goal is to improve educational performance by teaching archers to have focus, and self-control, apply life lessons in the classroom, and stay on target for life according to information on the NASP website Mann noted.
Mann stated the Summers County Archery program was started to help struggling students stay in school. They completed their 8th season this year with 76 students participating in elementary, middle and high school divisions. Their season begins January 1 through February 28 competing against students from Monroe, Mercer, Raleigh and Fayette counties.
Two students, Easton Dickenson and Nathan Angell placed in the top 5 among high school males at each tournament. Easton shot his personal best at the Shady Springs Invitational on February 23, shooting a 295. Shooters can qualify as individuals or as a team at a tournament in hopes of making it to the State tournament Mann explained.
Mann spoke about how, at the end of the season, each coach adds scores from one tournament to see if any individuals or teams qualify for the WVDNR State tournament. Summers County had three qualifying archers. Caleb Hinton, 7th grade, Easton Dickenson, 11th grade and Nathan Angell 12th grade to compete on March 30. “While Caleb was disappointed in his performance at State, we are so proud of him for making it that far. We have very high expectations for him next season.”
Mann was happy to state that both Angell and Dickenson scored high enough to qualify for the Eastern National in Louisville, Kentucky with scores of 288 and 283.
On May 9, Nathan and Easton were among 15,200 archers registered to shoot over three days in Louisville. Each archer was hoping to accomplish the goal of qualifying for the World Championship Tournament. The team is proud to announce that both Dickenson and Angell accomplished that goal.
The boys competed in the World Championship Tournament in Daytona Florida. Nathan shot a 283, ranking him 99 out of 497 high school boys. Twenty-two out of 105 12 grade boys, and 151 out of 1431 overall boys that shot from all divisions. Easton shot a 292, ranking him 14 out of 497 high school boys. Four out of 118 11th grade boys and 16 out of 1431 overall boys from all divisions.
“Dickenson is ranked second in WV and 30th in the nation for high school boys. He has one more year and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes,” Coach Mann said.
Sadly this was Angell’s last season. Coach Mann explained how it has been a pleasure watching him grow as an archer and that his quick style of shooting which has been with them since 6th grade will be missed. His personal best was 290 last season. Coach Mann and the team wish him the best on his new adventures.
Coach Mann and the team want to thank all friends, family and the community for making their trip to Daytona possible. They want to invite everyone out to watch a tournament and experience why archery truly is a family-style event where friendships are made and life long skills are learned.
To all returning archers or new, Information will be given out around October for grades through 12. Mann said, “We teach lessons in school, after school and on Saturday to prepare for the start of shooting in tournaments.”
Congratulations to Angell and Dickenson on a job well done for a very successful archery season.
