Yorkton played host to the 2014 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Provincial tournament from March 28-29.
Over 630 student archers from across the province made their way to Yorkton in the hopes or qualifying for Nationals, which will take place May third and fourth in Regina.
"Once they do well here they can go on to the National Tournament which is being held in Regina this year," said National Wildlife Federation National Archery in the Schools Program Saskatchewan Coordinator Ian Kutarna. "Beyond that there is a World Tournament down in Madison, Wisconsin."
But just who can participate in National tournament? Is it just the elite archers and athletes who qualify? Not at all.
According to Kutarna anyone can compete as long as they are able to fund the trip. "Archery is for everyone. It doesn't discriminate," offered Kutarna. "You don't have to be the jock to be good at it. That's what makes it so great. Anyone can take part in the National competition if they took part in Provincials and can afford to travel to Nationals."
Kutarna then went on to explain that while affording a trip to Nationals this year won't be all that hard with it being held in Regina, however it has been tough for Saskatchewan archers in years past to afford to go, meaning sometimes the best archers are left at home. "The cost for going down to Nationals is the biggest thing that prohibits kids from going. We've only had a couple go to the tournament last year so even though they are eligible, getting down there is up to them.
"Luckily this year Nationals are in Regina so the costs shouldn't be too expensive."
Podium finishes
Saltcoats' Karlee Sidoryk impressed with a score of 273 (hitting 10 10's) to finish first on the Middle School Girls category out of 115 archers and first in the grade six girls category.
Sidoryk also finished second out of 256 girls, trailing just Canora's Bailey Steciuk.
Steciuk, meanwhile, led all archers with a score of 286 (19 tens) to claim first in all categories.
M.C. Knoll's Brad Heskin also represented his school well.
Heskin finished tops in his category of grade six boys with a score of 272 (nine tens). His score was also good enough to rank him second out of 151 middle school boys and fourth in the entire male category.
Nora Lazurko of the YRHS also took home some hardware over the weekend.
The grade 11 student from the Regional scored 268 (nine tens) to finish first in the grade 11 girls category and second overall in the high school girls category.
Yorkdale's Noah Bymak finished third overall in elementary boys and grade five boys with a score of 253 (seven tens) while Elizabeth Hansen of the YRHS finished third overall in the grade 11 girls category with a score of 260 (for tens).
Matthew Popick (YRHS) finished third overall in the grade 11 boys category with a score of 255 (seven tens).
Both Kelly Cole (Saltcoats) and Sarah Edel (Columbia) finished third respectively in their categories. Cole scored 260 (four tens) in the grade seven girls group while Edel's score of 258 (six tens) was good enough for third in the grade eight girls group.
