In Lincoln, Arkansas, two young archers from the Lincoln Wolves team are preparing to take their talents to the world stage. Eli Stanley and Claire Stokes have qualified for the 3D World Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida, after successfully advancing through both state and national competitions.

From Classroom to World Stage

The students are part of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), which integrates archery into physical education and science classes across Arkansas. Coach Haley Robinson highlights the program’s role in introducing students to archery, thanks to the efforts of Ms. Amy Swain, the state’s shooting sports director with Arkansas Game and Fish.

This year’s competition presents a unique challenge as it shifts from traditional bullseye targets to 3D animal-shaped targets. Eli Stanley notes the difference, saying, “Last year it was bull’s eye targets, you know, your flat circle targets. This year it’s the actual 3D animal targets, so it’s been a completely different ballgame.”

Claire Stokes emphasizes the importance of mental preparation, focusing on breathing and staying calm under pressure. The transition to 3D archery requires competitors to approach each target with a fresh perspective, whether it’s a stone sheep or a coyote.

A Family Tradition

For Claire, archery is more than a sport; it’s a family tradition. “All my family does archery, but this past year I really got serious into it after I found out that archery is provided as a PE elective,” she shared.

The team is currently fundraising to cover the costs of traveling to Florida, which includes registration fees, airfare, gas, hotel rooms, and meals. Coach Robinson recalls a memorable moment from last year when Eli and his family saw the ocean for the first time, describing it as “absolutely incredible.”

This year, the competition coincides with Eli’s father’s 50th birthday, adding a personal touch to the event. The team hopes to raise enough funds to send both students and at least one parent to Daytona Beach.

Families interested in archery can find participating schools through NASP.org. Robinson encourages involvement, stating, “Obviously we would love every kid to come to Lincoln for our incredible outdoor program, but we aren’t the only ones.”

The Lincoln archers are accepting donations through GoFundMe to help make their trip to the championship possible.

Original reporting: 5NEWS / KFSM (Fort Smith) — read the source article.