Archery Is On the Rise

Gain information about AHS Archery.

February 23, 2024

FOCUS – Junior Hailey Huffman focuses on nocking her arrow to get the perfect shot. Huffman made sure her stance was strong and her bow arm did not shake. Huffman shot 3D where she shot all the different animals at all different distances.

Archery- in its tenth year at AHS, the sport is gaining numbers and more of its events are gaining publicity. On Feb. 25, Atlantic is hosting nine-time National Champion Robby Wessinger, a University of South Dakota alumnus. In efforts to help improve fundamentals before the state tournament, this is an opportunity that high school archers can’t pass up. Coach Clint Roland said he coached Wessinger in high school at Valley and added that they “have always had a close relationship, and it’s cool to get to work with him again.”

“Basically it’s preparation for kids moving to the state tournament this year,” said Roland. “It’s important for kids to get things out the back of their heads, and just focus on the only tax at hand.” Roland describes archery as a sport that is “mentally challenging just as much as physically challenging,” and is a good sport to prepare for other sports with.

Here’s a picture from the 2013-14 yearbook where archery was in its first year at AHS. (Claire Pellett)

This season has had great success, those who stand out include Freshman Grant Petty, Sophomores Madeline Blake and Elynor Brummer, and Juniors Mariah Hadley and Connor Johnson. “However, we have had over 135 kids from sixth grade, all the way to seniors, and each one of them has surprised me in their own way,” said Roland. Now, the team ranked for the past three years in the top 30 for high school archery programs nationally, Roland said that his future goals are to stay where they are at and continue to grow.

If you’re a student who aims to grow in other activities, and as a person, email Coach Roland @[email protected].

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About the Contributor

Anna Potts, AHS Needle Editor

Anna Potts is a junior involved in journalism at Atlantic High School. This is Potts’ second year going to AHS and also her second year in journalism. Exactly what does Potts do in journalism? She is involved in the newspaper and is one of the editors. Her favorite part of journalism is the First Fridays, the monthly celebrations for the entire staff. “Those are the best,” she said. She also said the worst part had to be taking the pictures. Potts' story she is most proud of that she wrote would be “my birth control story” which was about birth control becoming an over- the- counter medication. Potts was inspired to do journalism by her upperclassmen. She said for her upcoming years in high school she would like to “become a bigger role in the journalism department.” Potts is not just involved with school academics she is also part of softball,track, and tennis. Outside of school she reads her Bible, works on her new job at a law firm, and plays with her dog Loki. Best advice Potts has to give for us younger classes is “get involved with everything you can.” Story by Calianda Thompson

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Archery Is On the Rise

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