The Eagles Archery Team includes: front row – Kristin Binder, Max Knowles, Rennick Rader, Elena Gillenwater, Levi Lucas, Isaac Haer, and Ellie Haer; middle row – Brooklyn Binder, Courteney Gordon, Cade Gillenwater, Cole Gillenwater, Brett Wright, Aiden James, Logan Drewes, and Alaina Riley; and back row – Coach Jade Wright, Clayton Binder, Calvin Knowles, Aaron Riley, Hunter Gordon, Ethan Lucas, Ryan Lucas, and Faith Drewes. Audrey Gibson and Jacey Rader are not pictured. (Submitted photo)
The Northwest Missouri Eagles Archery Team qualified for and participated in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State competition held in Branson, Missouri, March 18, 19, and 20, 2021. In Bullseye competition, the Eagles shot their season best score of 3,243 points. Elena Gillenwater finished 14th in the elementary girls’ division (EG) and Brett Wright placed 17th in the middle school boys’ group (MSB). In 3D competition, Elena Gillenwater finished 8th in EG and Brooklyn Binder placed 12th in MSG. Over 2,000 archers from across Missouri competed at the three-day event.
Starting in January, Eagle’s archers have had a banner year. Competing in nine bullseye tournaments held in Kansas City, Platte City, Smithville, Barnard, and Rosendale – the Eagles have received awards at each of the tournaments in which they have participated and on average 59% of the team finished in the top 10 at each tournament. Here is a list of the archers and the awards they have received throughout the season:
Elementary Girls – Kristin Binder received a 1st place and two 2nd place awards. Elena Gillenwater received one 5th place medal.
Elementary Boys – Rennick Rader received a 1st place and two 2nd place awards.
Middle School Girls – Brooklyn Binder received four awards: one 1st, one 2nd, one 3rd, and one 4th. Jacey Rader received 2nd and Alaina Riley brought home a 2nd and 5th place medal.
Middle School Boys – Aiden James had an exceptional season receiving nine awards. He placed 1st in five tournaments, 2nd in three, and 3rd in another. Ryan Lucas received a 3rd place award and Brett Wright received 6 awards: three 1st, one 2nd, and two 5th.
High School Boys – Cole Gillenwater received one 3rd place. Hunter Gordon secured three awards: two 3rd, one 5th. Ethan Lucas received five awards: one 1st, one 2nd, two 3rd, and one 4th.
Ethan Lucas and Courteney Gordon are seniors that have been with the Eagles team since the beginning. Their unique leadership, commitment, and skill have always been an asset to the team and they will be missed in the future.
In 2001, NASP started with 21 Kentucky Middle Schools and has now become an international competition to include 18 million students, 14,000 schools, 47 states, 8 provinces and 11 countries. It has surpassed little league baseball in participation and is highly competitive. Often only a few points separate award recipients. Kids shoot three scoring rounds of five arrows from 10 meters and three rounds from 15 meters for a point value of 50 points per round and a combined total of 300 points possible. This is the 5th year Northwest Missouri Eagles have participated in the program.
