WHAT: NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS OKLAHOMA REGIONAL AND GRAND STATE CONTESTS

IN OKLAHOMA CITY:

Feb. 11, West Region Tier 2 Shoot-off, State Fair Park Pavilion.

Feb. 12, Central Region Tier 2 Shoot-off, State Fair Park Pavilion.

IN TULSA:

Feb. 19, Grand State Shoot-off, Tulsa Expo Square Sagenet Center.

Feb. 20, East Region Tier 2 Shoot-off, Tulsa Expo Square Sagenet Center.

Hundreds of Oklahoma students in grades 4-12 will compete in state archery contests, culminating another year of archery education programs administered by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. For these school archery teams, the state shoot-offs are the equivalent of the annual state school football playoffs.

Witness the impressive sight of scores of student archers lined up wall-to-wall in these large venues to take their best shots at the bull’s-eye. It is a well-choreographed operation where safety is always the highest priority. Arrows will be flying in morning and afternoon sessions.

Through the Oklahoma National Archery in the Schools Program (OKNASP), students have the chance to excel today, tomorrow, and throughout a lifetime in the unique sport of archery. The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), of which OKNASP is a part, is a coordinated effort and partnership between schools, state wildlife agencies, and the nation’s archery industry.

In Oklahoma, OKNASP promotes physical education by providing target archery training to the state’s youth. The curriculum covers archery history, safety, techniques, equipment, mental concentration, and self-improvement.

Media members are invited to visit during the event to produce reports, either live, recorded or written. ODWC spokespersons will be available for on-camera interviews. Topics may include:

• Interviews with ODWC personnel, archery team coaches and students.
• Oklahoma’s nationally recognized archery education programs.
• The astounding growth of OKNASP in public schools.
• What’s behind the growing popularity of archery among youths.
• How does OKNASP teach life skills.
• How winners in these contests go on to compete at a national level.
• What are some other wildlife department education programs are offered in schools.

CONTACTS to help you arrange coverage:

• Kelly Boyer, education specialist, (405) 919-1623, kelly.boyer@odwc.ok.gov
• Lance Meek, education supervisor, (405) 919-2817, lance.meek@odwc.ok.gov
• Micah Holmes, communication and education assistant chief, (405) 990-1374, micah.holmes@odwc.ok.gov