The best archers in the nation will descend on the Kentucky Exposition Center next month for the 2017 National Archery in the Schools Program’s National Shoot. The Washington archery program will take part in the shoot for the fourth straight season, and will send one team comprised of students from the high school, middle school, and Lincoln Elementary school squads. High school archery coach Liz Goodwin says 22 students will represent Washington at the National shoot:11 high school, nine middle school, and two elementary school archers.

Multiple archers will compete as individuals on the national stage after top 10 performances at the bullseye and 3D shoots at the 2017 Iowa State Tournament last month. Freshman Samantha Mellinger qualified for both the bullseye and 3D competition. Mellinger, KCII’s Hedge Above Lawncare Athlete of the Week on March 8, placed second in the high school girls’ division of the bullseye competition. She recorded a 292 out of a possible 300 points, including 22 bullseyes. Mellinger also posted a seventh place finish in the state 3D shoot with a score of 278. Elementary archers Makynna Morgan (bullseye) and Sammy Jo Helfrich (3D) will also compete as individuals at the national shoot.

Other high schoolers heading to nationals includes Mitchell Driscoll, Braeden Duwa, Cody Mellinger, Maggie Morgan, Kylee Porter, John Sands, Grace Shafer, Adam Todd, Griffin Wood and James Zabel. The middle school team will be represented by Lane Frana, Samantha Frana, Bryan Martin, Anna Miller, Kenna Rathmell, Cooper Reed, Allison Rees, Hunter Shultz, and Curtis Stender. The 2017 National Archery in the Schools Program’s National Shoot is set for May 10-12 in Louisville, Kentucky.