2021 Maryland State Bullseye Tournament
In mid-March, SMCA was thankful to participate in the Maryland State Bullseye Tournament, competing in archery with schools across the state. This year’s virtual tournament meant that each school ran their own standard tournament and submitted scores. After a year of putting everything on hold, it was amazing to get out there and see those arrows fly. The Archery Team is:
- Thankful to God for allowing archery to happen, and for providing a gym to practice in.
- Thankful to God for His protection and for using archery in our lives.
- Thankful to God for having other schools compete, trying to bring out the best in us.
- Thankful to God for our parents, coaches and school administration who encourage us.
The Mustangs had 31 students, from 5th-11th grade, all trying to get as close to a perfect score of 300 as possible. In the end, the Middle School team became State Champions, edging out rival Holly Grove from the Eastern Shore. For individual awards, Joshua Gilroy (8th) scored a 270, and RJ Parks (6th) shot a 267, finishing 1st and 3rd respectively for middle school boys; Juliana Crawford (7th) with a 272, came in 2nd for middle school girls; and Trinity Edwards (5th) had a 240 and finished 2nd in elementary girls. Some archers shot their personal best, and others hoped to score higher, but regardless, we know that success is found in hearing God’s Word (Joshua 1:8). Winning is fun, and we praise the Lord for some great scores.
For 5 years, the Mustangs have been a part of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), allowing for 4th-12th grade students to compete against schools across the state and nation. NASP is taught in over 14,000 schools, and it gives both boys and girls an opportunity to excel. For more details, go to www.naspschools.org.
-Mark Crawford, Archery Coach