SMCA hosted the first in-person archery tournament in all of MD this year. It featured public and private schools from VA, northern MD, and the Eastern Shore.  As the home team, the Mustangs had 36 students, including brand-new 4th grade archers, all trying to hit the bullseye from 10m and 15m away.

The tournament honored the “Maryland 400,” of the 1st MD Regiment (Maryland Line) in the Revolutionary War, serving under General Smallwood. Most famously, at the Battle of Brooklyn (Long Island), George Washington’s Army was greatly outnumbered and needed to retreat. The Maryland 400 were called to do the impossible, as they repeatedly charged about 20,000 British troops. In the end, 256 men were killed, 100 captured, and only a couple dozen returned.  A monument in Brooklyn, NY, says that these men “saved the American Army.”  Maryland is known as “The Old Line State” because of these heroes.

We thank God for His providence, and we honor these soldiers by awarding a special coin to any archer who scores a 256 or higher (300 is perfect). SMCA Mustangs who achieved this were: Josh Gilroy (8th), Faith Crawford (11th), Hannah Crawford (10th), Juliana Crawford (7th), Brady Dautenhahn (7th), Christian Sylvestre (9th), RJ Parks (6th), Krystian Kuczewski (8th), Ryan Dell (10th), and Keegan West (6th).

Josh Gilroy scored a career-high 281, and finished 1st for middle school boys.  Trinity Edwards (5th) beat out all elementary girls with her high score of 245.  The Mustangs finished just behind Holly Grove Christian School, while Battlefield High and Reagan Middle won their respective divisions.

Thank you to several SMCA teachers and administrators for helping to make it a success.