Last month, Landing Trail Intermediate School claimed its second consecutive provincial elementary school archery championship at the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) competition in Edmonton, and last week that accomplishment was recognized.
Dave Paplawski of the Alberta Hunter Education Instructors Association made the long trip from Calgary last Thursday to bring the LTIS team their provincial championship banner and medals. He also had a compound bow for Brendan Osachie, Albertaís top male elementary school archer who registered a terrific 251 points at the Edmonton event.
Students and teachers gathered in the gymnasium on Thursday morning for a special assembly to honour their returning archery champions.
ìWeíre here to recognize some very important accomplishments by some very important members of our community,î noted LTIS principal Glen Finney.
A number of the LTIS students showed their considerable skills in archery in helping bring home the banner. Osachie, Rhys Haubrich and Carsen Runcer all placed in the top 10 in the province among boys, with April Beauchamp, Caelan McNamara and Miranda Noseworthy doing the same for girls.
The LTIS middle school team also had a fine showing, finishing fifth.
As the kids were recognized with their medals, archery coach Dallas Fuchs described their trip to Edmonton.
ìIt was a great tournament, and tough competition. The kids represented our school very well,î he said.
Proudly displaying his new bow, Osachie was thrilled to earn his place as the top young archer in Alberta and help the school team do so well.
ìItís really awesome to win and be (first) in my age group,î he said.
Paplawski, who also presented a cheque for $1,000 in support of the schoolís archery program, was thoroughly impressed by the schoolís accomplishments, especially considering their brief history in archery.
He noted that while the field of competition at the event was larger this year, the Athabasca archers still scored far better than their competitors in order to hold on to the provincial title.
Fuchs credited the hard work of the students, who practice each week, as well as Kevin and Shelly from Younkers Welding Ltd. for sponsoring the LTIS teamís shirts, as well as other sponsors who have supported the team.
ìThe community has been behind us,î he said.
He also credited the coaching efforts of some older students (now attending Edwin Parr Composite) who have returned to help guide the team this year; Josh Smith, Carson Jewell and MarySol Strembesky.
The team can now enjoy the sight of their championship banner hanging proudly in their school gym.
