(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Ben Lowder with the Utah Bowmen's Association helps Isaac Zierenberg, 9, of Heber City count up his shots during the Utah State National Archery in the Schools Tournament. The tournament run by the Utah Division of Wildlife, took place at The Salt Palace Convention Center on Saturday as part of the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo.

Utah archery tournament quadruples 2011’s number of competitors

By Kathy Stephenson

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Feb 11 2012 02:45 pm • Last Updated Feb 14 2012 11:25 am

If the aim of the National Archery in the Schools program is to introduce students to this lifelong sport, then organizers were well on their way to hitting the target in Utah.

On Saturday, more than 180 students from 10 schools participated in the 2012 state archery tournament at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center. That’s four times the number (44) who participated in last year’s inaugural event, said RaLynne Takeda of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

For the past two years, DWR has sponsored the archery program, providing bows, arrows, targets and other equipment to interested schools. The program also trains teachers to run the free programs - usually before or after school - for students in fourth through 12th grades.

Similar to other sports, archery teaches discipline and patience and helps participants gain self-confidence, which often extends into their academic and personal lives.

Takeda said just about anyone can be successful in the sport regardless of their age, gender, height or athletic abilities. In fact, several students with physical disabilities participated in this year’s state tournament

"With archery you don’t have to be overly athletic to be successful," said Nora Rodriguez, one of 28 students from Wasatch High School, which won the tournament. "I’m exactly 5 feet tall, so I’m too short for basketball and I don’t like to run."

During the competition, which follows Olympic or "international-style" rules, students use a 20-pound composite bow to shoot 30 arrows. Half the arrows are shot while standing 10 meters (33 feet) from the target, the other half while standing 15 meters (49 feet) away. The highest possible score for each arrow is 10, which archers earn for hitting the yellow "bull’s-eye" in the center. They earn fewer points for hitting the red, blue or black outer rings.

First-, second- and third-place awards were given to the highest scoring male and female student in each of the three categories: elementary, junior high and high school. A grand champion and team award also are given.

Brian MacKay said he initially joined Wasatch High’s archery club - which meets once a week at 6:30 a.m. - to be with his friends. "But now I have fallen in love with the sport," he said. "It’s something not many people can do."

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