Twenty-one Trout Creek Eagles traveled to Helena to compete in the NASP State Archery Tournament. The team set out to win and that they did, starting a new tradition of State Champions. There were over 200 students and 15 teams competing. "We were thrilled with our shooting," said Superintendent Preston Wenz.

Two Trout Creek high school students competed and the rest, composed of both elementary and middle school, competed as a middle school team. The Eagles middle school team won first place and were just 46 points behind the high school team that won. Wenz said that the Fish Parks and Wildlife personnel who put the event on told them how well the Eagles followed the rules and how well-mannered and behaved they were. "We won right there," said Wenz.

Sophie Hardman won the middle school girls state championship and shot the best score in the tournament with 281 points. Jack Everett won the middle school boys state championship with a score of 277. Ruby Hardman won the high school girls state championship with a score of 257 and Shaylyn Stein won the elementary school girls state championship, shooting 231 points. A perfect score is 300 points.

The rest of the students results are as follows:

Middle School: Kolter Majerrison 257; Michaela Everett, 254 girls second place; Bella Nottnagel, 245 girls third place; Riley Reum, 240; Markarlie Stein, 221; Wyatt Mathew, 221; Scott Ryder, 209; Eillie Chambers, 197.

Elementary: JJ Boyer, 237 boys second place;Brayden Reum ,; 217 boys fourth place; Jaisynn Etienne, 217 girls second place; Brooke Piscitello, 216; Sonja Swatman, 215; Hope Ryder, 199 girls third place; Geneva Almeda-Schmidt, 193 girls fourth place; Mady Majerrison, 139.

High School: Lily Barton, 213.

"We prepared for this tournament by practicing almost every day, Monday through Friday, for two hours. Our coaches taught us to shoot better by teaching us good form. For example, when I pull back my string before releasing my arrow, I was taught to rest my nose on the string, so I could shoot accurately in the ten. The ten is the yellow ring on the target, or the bullseye," said fifth grader Brayden Reum. Reum has been in the National Archery Schools Program for two years.

All 21 Eagles qualified for the National Tournament in Sandy, Utah. They will be leaving April 26. It's a two-part competition. On day one, it's a bullseye tournament, as was the competition at state, and the second day is the 3-D tournament. "We will work hard, have fun, and stay safe as we prepare. I can't wait for the shoot," said Reum.

Assistant coach Jerry Doyle said that what is less known about archery is that students can earn a college scholarship. Big archery colleges like the University of South Dakota are actively scouting and reaching out to students.