Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : May 24, 2006

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Scott Warner, Wildlife Resources Section (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

West Virginia 's Archery in the Schools Program

First Annual State Tournament - Big Success!!

  Nearly 300 students from 23 schools around West Virginia participated in the First Annual West Virginia Archery in the School's Program State Tournament recently held in Charleston at Capital High School, according to Frank Jezioro, Director Division of Natural Resources.

  “When our pilot program began in the fall of 2004 we knew that it was only a matter of time until we would be hosting a state tournament,” said Scott Warner, Program Director for DNR, Wildlife Resources Section. “The interest in this program has been phenomenal. In less than two years the program has more than quadrupled in size with 91 schools participating. The nearly 300 students participating in the tournament was impressive, but we had almost as many parents, teachers, and friends in the stands cheering their teams on.”

    Awards were presented to the following top three boys and girls from each of three shooting classes (Youth 4-6 graders, Junior 7-8 graders, and Senior 9-12 graders) and the top three overall shooters:

     “The DNR thanks Capital High School for allowing us to host this tournament at their school, especially thanks Carmella Crawford and her students for their assistance,” Warner said. “Special thanks also need to be given to the volunteers from the West Virginia Bowhunters Association, the State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Trophy Hunters Associations. These volunteers deserve a lot of credit. Without them the tournament would not have been possible.”

  For more information on the program or to attend the next instructor training scheduled for July 18 th and 19 th at Cabela's in Wheeling , call (304) 558-2771 or visit the DNR's Web site at www.wvdnr.gov

**DNR**