On target: 398 student archers take part in Cullman County Nationals Warmup

CULLMAN, Ala. – Student archers from across Cullman County visited the gym at the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center on Thursday and Friday for the Cullman County Nationals Warmup tournament in conjunction with the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP). Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism (CPRST) Executive Director Zac Wood told The Tribune that 398 archers took part over the two days. 

Vinemont’s schools finished strong, with nine individuals in top three positions, and first place scores for the middle and high school teams. East Elementary School, a perennial NASP archery powerhouse, took first place in the elementary division. 

Top finishers in female and male categories included: 

• Elementary archers Haley Milwood of Vinemont and Connor Mallon of Welti 
• Middle school archers Caroline Miller and Bradley Johnson, both of Vinemont 
• High school archers Lauren Taylor of West Point and Forrest Calvert of Cullman
  

Vinemont High coach Steven Robinson, whose school hosted the event, called it “Another great opportunity for the kids to shoot in another venue,” adding, “Anytime we can let the kids shoot, it is a lot of fun! That is what it is all about!” 

Wood told the Cullman City Council on Monday that CPRST plans to make the tournament an annual regional event for NASP. 

On Friday, Wood told The Tribune, “We were excited to partner with Vinemont for our first annual Cullman Regional Archery Tournament hosted at Cullman Wellness and Aquatics Center. We had 398 registered archers from the surrounding area. After an uncertain year, it was great to see all of the kids being able to compete! We look forward to next year!” 

CPRST Archery Instructor Anthony Parker, who manages the organization’s indoor range on Cullman’s south side added, “It was good to see all the happy archers and I loved seeing all the shooters from the Indoor Archery Range compete and do well. Looking forward to the IBO next week.” 

The International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) will host the Alabama State NASP 3D/IBO Tournament in Cullman on March 18-19, 2021, allowing student archers to compete by shooting at three–dimensional animal targets.  

Individual Standings – Top 3 

Listed by rank, name, school, overall score 

Elementary Girls 

1. Haley Milwood, Vinemont – 282 

1. Allie Johnson, East – 264 

1. Lily Copeland, Vinemont – 263 

Elementary Boys 

1. Connor Mallon, Welti – 279 

1. Riley Britton, East – 262 

1. Bryant Eastman, East – 258 

Middle School Girls 

1. Caroline Miller, Vinemont – 288 

1. Briana Willoughby, Cullman – 284 

1. Maddie Seidel, Cullman – 280 

Middle School Boys 

1. Bradley Johnson, Vinemont – 290 

1. Evan Dockery, Cullman – 289 

1. Randi Torres, Vinemont – 283 

High School Girls 

1. Lauren Taylor, West Point – 290 

1. Alexis Sartin, Vinemont – 298 

1. Berkley Gable, Vinemont – 288 

High School Boys 

1. Forrest Calvert, Cullman – 297 

1. Carson Starnes, Vinemont – 294 

1. Cadan Welch, Vinemont – 290 

Team Standings – Top 3 

Listed by rank, school, overall team score 

Elementary Schools 

1. East – 3077 

1. Vinemont – 3033 

1. Welti – 2783 

Middle Schools 

1. Vinemont – 3317 

1. Cullman – 3305 

1. Good Hope – 3035 

High Schools 

1. Vinemont – 3355 

1. Cullman – 3273 

1. West Point – 3211 

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W.C. Mann

craig@cullmantribune.com