In their fourth year of existence, the Washington Demon archery program has placed themselves among the best 3D shooters in the world. Eighteen members from the Washington high school, middle school, and Lincoln Elementary school teams participated in last week’s National Archery in the Schools Program’s national shoot in Louisville, Kentucky. Washington competed in the bullseye tournament last Friday and the 3D shoot on Saturday. Washington archery coach Jolleen Cerka tells KCII Sports the team’s result in the 3D shoot was good enough to qualify the squad for the World Archery Tournament next month in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The group was split into two squads for the 3D shoot with the highest team score being used for qualifying. Washington’s top group placed 63rd overall with a score of 1334 points, while the other team posted 1329 points and finished 67th. Tallying the best score for Washington was eighth grader Samanatha Mellinger, who scored 280 out of a possible 300 points. Her performance ranked her 25th overall out of 668 middle school girls in the country, and qualified as an individual for the Worlds Tournament. The top boys score was recorded by junior John Sands, who compiled a score of 273.

The Worlds Tournament is set for June 24-26 at the Myrtle Beach Sports Complex in South Carolina.