Alcorn Central wins state archery championship .... pages

Alcorn Central High School Archery Coach Jesse Nelson and the rest of the Golden Bear Archery Team celebrate their 2022 Class II Archery State Championship. In just its fourth year, the ACHS team won the Alcorn County Tournament, North Half Tournament and then the Class II state championship.

Alcorn Central wins state archery championship

By JOEL COUNCE

For Crossroads Magazine

Alcorn Central High School has hit the bullseye.

In the archery program’s fourth year, the Golden Bears claimed the 2022 Class II state championship by shooting an eye-popping, bow-drawing 3,324 in early April.

“This group in particular were underclassmen or middle schoolers when we started the program,” said dedicated Alcorn Central head coach Jesse Nelson, who also coaches ACHS bowling. “I told them the goal here is to win a state championship. This group probably shot more arrows this year than they ever have.”

“These upperclassmen really bought in and believed it and set a really good example for the underclassmen,” added Nelson.

Gracey Viola led the Golden Bears with a 287, followed by Haley Markle with a 282. Maura Rorie shot a 279 and Shelby Driscoll shot a 274 to round out the girls. Seth Carman led the boys with a 282, followed by Ryder Harvell and Rylan Pleasant with 275. Aaron Tapley and Zacahary Freeman each shot a 274.

To give those outstanding scores some perspective, 300 is a perfect score in archery.

Clay Barnett, Tatum Lancaster and Bryce Streetman shot 273, 271 and 268, respectively.

Harvell, Rorie, Lorien Gray and Ivy Mirabella earned All-State honors.

“It happened to a great bunch of kids,” Nelson said. “I’m extremely proud of them. I’m just a proud coach.”

Each archer shoots five arrows from five meters three different times. Then, they shoot five arrows from 15 meters three different times.

Each shot is worth as much as 10 points, each round is worth 50 and 300 is the perfect score for a meet.

“The progress these students made in relatively a short period of time is nothing short of amazing.” BRANDON QUINN

Alcorn School District Superintendent

This is the Golden Bears third archery title the 2022 season after winning the Alcorn County Tournament at Corinth High School in March and then the North Half Tournament.

“The Alcorn School District is proud to have the Alcorn Central High School Archery Team representing out district,” said Alcorn School District Superintendent Brandon Quinn. “The progress these students made in relatively a short period of time is nothing short of amazing.”

Quinn praised Coach Nelson and the ACHS student-athletes.

“I would like to thank Coach Nelson and all of these talented student-athletes for their dedication to their school. State champs!” 2021-22 Sports Rewind Edition CROSSROADS MAGAZINE PAGE 41