West Virginia Wildlife from Eyewitness News

Archery In The schools

From 19 schools to 166 in five years, the Archery In the Schools program continues to grow.

April 8, 2009
Reporter: Patrick McMurtry
Videographer: Brad Rice

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This is what it looked like at the first Archery in the Schools tournament held at Capitol High School. Since implementing the program 5 years ago,the program has grown from 19 schools to 166... introducing nearly 40,000 students to archery as part of their physically education class

Jamie Withrow/Ripley Asst. Coach says:
"It's awesome to see that many people be able to shoot a bow in all sizes and shapes. We had a tournament last week in Ripley and there were 6th graders-little fellers, 85 pound kids shooting a bow, it's amazing to see them shooting a bow, it doesn't take a real person or a big jock to be in this sport."

Most of these kids are literally the kids next door. At this tournament, there are hundreds of them and that's a reflection of just how big this sport is becoming.

stand up

Kids like Anna Houben from Ripley are taking the sport over.

Anna Houben/Ripley Senior
"Last year was real exciting because I never shot in a competition before and my first was here in the big hall. I was really, really nervous, I'm a little less nervous. I got second place in girl's senior division."

You can see just how good these shooters are. Some deserve to be called mister (use shot of Mr. Casto here). These young archers are serious, but the nature of the sport allows for a casual atmosphere, too.

Anna Houben/Ripley Senior says:
"I never knew that I would enjoy archery, I discovered it freshman year but I was doing tennis. it's a lot of fun and it's really for anybody. I come from working and shoot in heels and my coach says it's the only competition you could do in heels."

The way Anna shoots, her coach doesn't care what kind of shoes she wears. For West Virginia Wildlife, I'm Patrick McMurtry, Eyewitness News.