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CONNOR PATTERSON shows off his fourth-place plaque and medal presented to him at the awards ceremony of the 2012 National Archery in the Schools Program Championships. Patterson, who scored 297 points out of a possible 300, received a $2,500 scholarship for his finish. He was also awarded an additional scholarship of $2,400. (Photo submitted / June 6, 2012) |
There are many people who think they are great archers, but are they?
There is an online quiz available to check if one might be a great archer, however, the real proof is in performance.
Connor Patterson of Stanford chose the performance method to test his talents recently, and he proved without a doubt that he is one great archer by placing fourth in the 2012 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Championships held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
Patterson was one of a Guinness World Record-setting field of 7,804 4th-12th grade archers from 35 states who competed for the national championship. Despite the large field of competitors, Patterson kept a steady hand through each round.
“I don’t get too nervous while in competition,” said Patterson.
Every archer in the tournament launched 10 practice arrows and 30 scoring arrows at an international bullseye target from 10 and 15 meters and Patterson, who will be a sophomore at Lincoln County High in the fall, earned his fourth-place finish with a score of 297 out of a possible 300 points.
His score was actually the second highest of the entire competition, but the NASP students’ archery mastery provided for some tough competition, with a record 13 ties needing to be decided before the final standings could be announced, including ties for first and third.
Tyler Finley of Maysville High School in Zanesville, Ohio, and Matt Wiglesworth of Harrison County High School in Cynthiana tied the NASP world record score with 298 points. Finley, a freshman, won a shootout to take the overall 2012 NASP Male Archer Championship.
Patterson, Ryan Long of Madison Central High in Richmond and Levi Miller of Meade County High in Brandenburg each had scores of 297 points to tie for 3rd-5th place. Long took third in a shootout, Patterson was fourth, and Miller, fifth.
While happy with his national finish, Patterson felt he didn’t have his best competition.
“I was glad I did so well, but aggravated because I know I could’ve done better,” said Patterson.
As the fourth-place overall male, Patterson received a $2,500 scholarship sponsored by NEET¿Archery Products. The high overall finish also landed him a spot on the first NASP/Army National Guard All-American Team. Patterson was also awarded a $2,400 scholarship from University of the Cumberlands.
With the 2012 competition behind him, Patterson says he looks forward to three more years of competition – and possibly a championship title.
“I plan to place the next three years and win at least one first place,” he said.
Patterson is the son of Steve and Karen Patterson.
Kentucky claimed half of the 10 individual division titles awarded in the NASP championships and claimed two of the three team titles.
The top scorers in each division were:
4th Grade Female: 278 – Trellis Whaley, Lee Co. Elementary, Leesburg, Ga.
4th Grade Male: 288 – Spencer Bartlett, Cairo Elementary, Henderson, Ky.
5th Grade Female: 285 – Corie Young, Kirksville Elementary, Richmond, Ky.
5th Grade Male: 290 – Zack Hogan, Richardsville Elementary, Bowling Green, Ky.
6th Grade Female: 284 – Riley Link, Holey Name Elementary, Henderson, Ky.
6th Grade Male: 294 – Logan Geer, New Prague Middle, New Prague, Minn.
Middle School Female: 295 – Mary Aldridge, Bondurant Middle, Frankfort, Ky.
Middle School Male: 296 – Caleb Howard, Jennings County Middle, North Vernon, Ind.
High School Female: 296 – Wendy Thomas, Alma Bryant High, Irvington, Ala.
Teams: Elementary – Foley Intermediate School (Ala.); Middle School – Trigg Co. Middle School (Ky.); High School – Trigg Co. High School (Ky.).
The NASP/Army National Guard All-American Team is: Tyler Finley, 298, Maysville High (Ohio); Matt Wiglesworth, 298, Harrison Co. High (Ky.); Ryan Long, 297, Madison Central High (Ky.); Connor Patterson, 297, Lincoln Co. High (Ky.); Levi Miller, 297, Meade Co. High (Ky.); Korey McKay, 296, Ashville High (Ala.); Wendi Thomas, 296, Alma Bryant (Ala.); Chris Bee, 296, Hartland High (Mich.); Caleb Howard, 296, Jennings Co. Middle (Ind.); Mary Aldridge, 295, Bondurant Middle (Ky.); Justin Mehs, 295, Anderson Co. High (Ky.); Nich Hope, 295, Muhlenberg South Middle (Ky.); Nathan Freeman, 295, Tell City High (Ind.); Macy Robles, 293, Harrison Co. Middle, (Ky.); Tymbrie Snobl, 292, Alburnett Community (Iowa); Jenna Ischinger, 292, Oxford Central (N.J.).
