Westonka Sharpshooters Advance to National Archery Competition

by Lorrie Ham

A total of 60 Westonka students took part in the state's 2012 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament in Champlin Park on March 30 and 31, where one team qualified for nationals.

A total of 23 sharp shooters in grades five through nine competed under the Westonka High School banner. 

“This team qualified for the 2012 NASP National Tournament based on qualifying score, and finished 6th in the high school team division despite having only three ninth-graders as the oldest team members,” said coach Mike Wallace. 

Individually, Emma Kerr shot a personal and team best 284 and finished 3rd in the Middle School Girls Division.

Westonka had 14 fourth-graders from Hilltop Primary and Shirley Hills compete on the Elementary Division team. Morgan McFadden took 3rd place for fourth-grade girls. 

In the second and third grades, 23 Westonka students competed in the Friday night youth division. The youth girls had four of the top-five spots, led by Mackenzie Wallace in 1st, Nora Taets in 3rd, Cori Goodmanson in 4th and Makayla Kryck in 5th.

Two boys also placed in the top five in their division: Cole Spader was 3rd, and Nolan Hanson was 5th.   

Hilltop coach and Westonka Archery coordinator Mike Wallace was also named the 2012 Coach of the Year. He was nominated by other coaches in the state and approved by a panel of former Coaches of the Year as this year's selection for Minnesota.

“Our program sent 60 kids in second through ninth grade to this year’s state tourney,” said coach Wallace. “The coaches are grateful for the support of the schools, parents and kids. We have a tremendously strong program and one of the benchmark programs in the state of Minnesota.”