At a state competition in Dothan, the four-member team under the instruction of Sue Jones brought home three first place trophies and one third.
Christopher Posey placed third in the 12U open, which allows for sights and grip aids.
Chase Lindsey brought home first in 14U bare-bow, which is just a bow and arrow.
Jaylin Peters placed first in 12U bare-bow and Mary Wilson took home first in 12U open girls.
The team, which has been practicing since June, practices in the city center and at the city archery range at the sports complex.
Jones, who is also the city center manager, said she helps the team in a wide array of skills.
“I actually teach them how to properly knock the bows, how to hold the bow, how to draw, how to aim, when to release, all that,” Jones said. “Most of them have their own equipment and they have done surprisingly well.”
The team had mainly practiced indoors prior to the competition, which was outside.
Jones said archers have to compensate in certain conditions.
“You have to adjust for the wind and rain,” Jones said. “You also have a lot of background noise, where inside the only noise you have is the air conditioning. You have to learn how to shut everyone out and concentrate on your shooting.”
Parks and recreation director Roben Duncan said she is very proud of the team and hopes to see the program grow.
“I don’t want to put a number on it, because I want to see it be an unlimited thing,” Duncan said. “You know, football and baseball, the parents might be coaching or on the sidelines. With archery, it’s something everyone can get involved with.”
Duncan said the experience was a good one for the kids, as they got to see people compete with physical disabilities.
“They have setups for people in wheelchairs and the like,” Duncan said. “The kids cam back with such a great story about those people. I think it was good for them to see people who maybe aren’t as lucky as they are still competing and still succeeding.”
Peters said he started archery with a friend of his from school and gets plenty of support from his family.
“We have a team at school and my friend thought it sounded cool, so I just tried it and I really liked it,” Peters said. “I didn’t think I’d do that well at competition, but I’m happy.”
Lindsay said he wasn’t shaken by the size of the tournament.
“I don’t really get nervous about anything,” Lindsay said. “I just went out there and did the best I could.”
Wilson, the lone girl on the team, said she also picked up the sport at school.
“The coach really got us into it,” Wilson said. “I’ve been doing this a year and want to keep doing this.”
Posey was the lone teammate who didn’t win his division. Even though his friends were more successful, he isn’t worried.
“You know, I wish I could have won my division, but everyone was really competitive,” Posey said. “I’m still happy with the way things turned out, and will just work harder on getting to my best.”
