As June came to a close, Smith-Green Elementary School students returned from Daytona, Florida to bring home a National Championship title in archery. The fourth and fifth graders competed against schools from 45 different states as well as a Canadian province.
The seemingly-unorthodox sport has taken root in Churubusco’s public schools, allowing for an incredible dynamic between kids, parents, school faculty, and coaches to nurture the program within their community.
J.R. Barron, an assistant coach and parent, is proud of what the team’s win means to Churubusco.
“It feels great," he said. "It's exciting, small town community like we are, and they’ve swept the whole country, taking first place elementary team in both divisions.”
The community gathered for a parade on a hot July Saturday afternoon to honor the students' hard work. Cheering families lauded the students as they drove by in a float, displaying their three large trophies.
Head coach Toby Rice has been involved in the program for ten years, inheriting it in its infancy.
“I’m an archer through and through, used to compete on a national level, and now I can give back to this and the kids and teach them.”
Rice’s dedication to the team, and willingness to recruit other members of the school community proved to be only the beginning of Churubusco’s archery journey.
Archery for life skills
The National Archery in Schools Program’s (NASP) main goal is to promote academic excellence, focus, and athletic ability among students through archery. Their approach prioritizes equity and friendship among its students.
Rice said that archery is more than a sport.
“[It’s] a life skill. They can take this with them from now until the end of their life," he said.
The level of involvement in NASP from adults is also noteworthy. Parents and other faculty can take a certification course ending in a coachship.
Ryan Ratkowski became an assistant coach after witnessing his daughter’s success on the team.
He loves the determination it sparks in the kids.
“You can see it in their eyes. They’re hooked. They wanna do this.” he said.
As a parent, Ratkowski is conscious of the other ways archery has been a positive force in their lives.
Not only is it a way to be active, “archery is a very mental sport, and it requires a lot of focus, that translates really to the classroom immediately” he says.
His daughter, Eliza, a fifth grader from the winning team, represents how NASP is successful in creating a unique opportunity for kids who might have not sought out sports.
“I did not see myself doing archery, I mostly saw myself probably staying at home drawing and stuff,” Eliza said. “But I never saw myself doing archery but now I see myself doing archery.”
Winning both events
After honing these skills all year, Eliza and the team placed first in both Bullseye and 3D Shooting.
“It doesn't happen often for a team to go down there and win both” Rice said.
Bullseye shooting is a classic accuracy competition, while 3D shooting tests the students ability to mark moving animal targets.
More than just a team sport, archery also allows for individuals to display their individual talents, and Churubusco had students place and score highly in individual arenas as well.
Eliza said that she would be attempting to compete as an individual in the upcoming season.
The most important actors in Churubusco’s story, the kids themselves, provide more than just the adequate skill needed to win the tournament.
Parents and coaches praise the team’s dedication, discipline, and focus above all else.
“Thirteen to fifteen tournaments. It's a long season and a lot of elementary school kids aren't used to that so sticking it out and being able to persevere and keep the success was really awesome to see.” Ratkowski says.
The NASP program is implemented school wide, as part of the curriculum. Then there is an after-school club as well, a way to further be involved if students would like.
It is a holistic approach.
Zander Barron, two-year competitor and son to one of the assistant coaches said that the number one thing archery has taught him is to “slow down and concentrate.”
Addie Sigler is WBOI's summer intern. She is a student at the University of Washington in Seattle.