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 PAGE 40
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. CROSSROADS MAGAZINE
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. 2021-22 Sports Rewind Edition
