More than 700 people showed up for a tournament at Republic High School in February – but it didn’t involve basketball or wrestling. It was a high school archery tournament hosted by Republic’s JROTC unit. Thirteen schools participated, from elementary up to high school. The field included nearly 200 archers in total.
Among Republic’s top finishers, Margan Stoneking placed third and Elijah Bailey placed eighth in the high school male division. Addison Butcher finished tenth in the high school female division.
Butcher said she’s been a part of the archery team since she was a freshman, and that during her sophomore year, as her groupings became more consistent, she realized she might have some success.
“I enjoy being able to work on my accuracy and becoming better and better as an archer,” Butcher said. “I also enjoy being able to help my other teammates become the best that they can be.”
One of the biggest challenges of archery competition is steadying one’s nerves. Butcher said that’s something she’s improved on as she has competed more.
“Sometimes it gets really nerve-racking competing in front of so many people at once but over the years I have learned to breathe and focus on blocking all of the spectators out so I can shoot better,” she said.
And Butcher said her ability to block out the crowds at archery has carried over into other parts of her life at school and elsewhere.
“Archery has taught me how to focus and concentrate even when others are watching me,” Butcher said. “This has helped me with my presentation skills and other such areas.”
The Republic High School team finished third overall.
