Louisville, KY – Former S3DA students had a huge impact on the United States Intercollegiate 3D Championships held at the Sahara Woods Fish and Wildlife Area in Carrier Mills, Illinois, October 2nd - 4th. The USAIC 3D Championships consist of a Bowhunter, Compound, and Recurve division. Each division held individual Men's and Women's, as well as team rounds. 130 shooters from across the nation competed, which was the largest group of shooters to ever compete at the USIAC 3D Championships.

"The way that the S3DA program is set-up, it allows students to make an easier transition from high school to college," says Kris Strebeck, Head Archery Coach at University of the Cumberlands.

"This allows them to be better prepared and to take what they have learned in S3DA and continue to grow in the sport. When students come out of S3DA, they have been given the education and tools that will help them make the adjustment easier than others. With that being said, I am very proud of how my team competed all weekend with 7 - 1st place, 3 - 2nd place, 4 - 3rd place finishes and the Overall 3D National Championship Team Finish."

"80% of this past recruiting class consisted of students who had participated in S3DA at some point in their archery career, stated Cody Kirby, Head Archery Coach at Union College. "In fact, our two medalists, Lucas Roy and Janie Ricks, are both the reigning S3DA National Champions in the High School Compound division. As a college coach and recruiter, S3DA is very attractive because students come in with a comfort level using the same equipment we compete with. I've seen other students that have only a NASP background who are wonderful shooters, but they are intimidated by the equipment and style of shooting when they first get to college. That is not the case with S3DA students. If I am able to recruit and sign an S3DA student with a good Scholastic coach that has taught them how to use a hinge style release, or how to shoot a well-executed, unanticipated shot, then that is just icing on the cake!"

Lucas Roy (S3DA 2015 National Champion): Union College Archery Team; 3rd - Men's Compound; National Champion Men's

Compound Team; National Champion Compound Mixed Team; 3rd - Overall Team; All-American.

Janie Ricks (S3DA 2015 National Champion): Union College Archery Team; 2nd - Women's Bowhunter; 3rd - Overall Team;

All-American.

Hannah Lane (S3DA 2014, 3rd in KY.): Union College Archery Team; National Champion Men's Compound Team; National

Champion Compound Mixed Team; 3rd - Overall Team; All-American.

Caleb Kirby (S3DA 2012): University of the Cumberlands Archery Team; National Champion Men's Bowhunter; National

Champion Men's Bowhunter Team; 1st - Overall Team; Academic All-American and All-American.

Dylan Martin (S3DA 2012): University of the Cumberlands Archery Team; 2nd place Men's Compound; 2nd - Compound Mixed

Team; 3rd - Men's Compound Team; 1st - Overall Team; Academic All-American and All-American.

Korey Snyder (S3DA 2012, 3rd at Nationals): University of the Cumberlands Archery Team; 3rd - Men's Compound Team; 1st -

Overall Team; All-American.

Shannon Coleman (S3DA 2013): University of the Cumberlands Archery Team; 3rd - Women's Recurve; National Champion

Women's Recurve Team; 1st - Overall Team; Academic All-American and All-American.

Lakin Crum (S3DA 2013): University of the Cumberlands Archery Team; 1st - Women's Recurve; National Champion Women's

Recurve Team; 1st - Overall Team; All-American.

Courtnie Carr (S3DA 2015, 3rd in KY.): University of the Cumberlands Archery Team; 3rd - Women's Bowhunter; 1st - Women's

Bowhunter team; 1st - Overall Team; All-American.

Jennie Richardson, Executive Director of Scholastic 3D Archery states, "I think it's incredible when students that have transitioned to a next step program succeed at any level, but seeing our kids make the podium in a national collegiate championship is something special. That's what we're all about at S3DA. It's our goal to develop a passion for archery and bowhunting. The archery scholarships that colleges are offering are the exact same as basketball, football, or baseball/softball scholarships. They allow students to continue to develop their athletic abilities while obtaining a higher education, showcasing their talents and setting them up for long-term success in our sport."

Started in December 2012 by the Scholastic Archery Association, S3DA has grown exponentially as a next step program to follow introductory programs offered as part of 4-H or the National Archery in Schools Program. S3DA addresses the need for a program to bridge beginning target archery experience and more advanced activities such as 3-D shooting and bowhunting. The program currently operates across the United States with hundreds of certified coaches serving thousands of young archers, grades 3 - 12.

For more information on S3DA membership go to: WWW.S3DA.ORG or email: S3DArchery@gmail.com