The teams’ most recent competition was held at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center on Feb. 8 when the squad took part in the Billy Shamblin Memorial 3-D Archery Tournament.

Hanna Tiffner, a sophomore at Pickens, shined in the event by placing first overall. Tiffner ranked No.1 out of the 41 high school girls that competed in the tourney.

“Hanna is definitely one of our best shooters and we have a bunch of good ones on the team,” said first-year coach Melody Greenway, who also serves as the school’s secretary and custodian. “Hanna is only in 10th grade, so for her to be doing what she is against these other high school girls that are older than her, is impressive.”

Back in late January, the Archery team competed in the second annual UCHAA 3-D Classic Tournament at the Summersville Arena and Conference Center. Pickens’ Lisa Wooten finished in second place in the high school competition, while Tiffner brought home a fifth place trophy from the tourney. Jayden Gain, a fifth-grade student at Pickens, captured fifth place in the elementary school division.

The Pickens School Archery Team competed in the Billy Shamblin Memorial 3-D Archery Tournament at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center on Feb. 8. Hannah Tiffner, a sophomore at Pickens School, placed first for high school females. She was ranked No. 1 out of 41 high school girls.

On Jan. 18, Pickens took part in the Buckhannon-Upshur 4-H Invitational Bullseye Tournament. Lexie Gain finished first in the elementary school competition, while Brianna Greenway placed seventh, and Breanna Carpenter ninth. Josh Huffman took sixth place in the middle school portion on the tourney and Tiffner seventh in the high school competition.

In the squad’s lone tourney in December, Lexie Gain captured first place for elementary girls in the Frozen Bullseye Tournament in Ritchie County. Jayne Gain finished third place in the elementary division for girls.

“Every tournament we have competed at this year we have brought home awards,” said Greenway. “In March we have the state competition and it looks like some of our kids are going to qualify for that tournament. I have a really good feeling that some of our archers are going to be going to that event.”

The Pickens Archery Team, which is the lone sport offered at the school, is fully funded from donations and fundraisers. Fourteen of the school’s 29 students compete on the archery team, which is made up of students fourth-grade through 12th.

The team will host a home archery tournament on Feb. 22. Silent auction items and concessions will be available.

Submitted photos Pickens School is the only school in Randolph County to have a NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) team. NASP is an in-school program aimed at improving educational performance among students in grades 4 through 12. Pickens Archery Team currently has 14 members. Through this program, students are learning focus, self-control, discipline, patience and the life lessons required to be successful in the classroom and in life. Team members include, front row, from left, Emily Wegman, Madison Huffman, Jayden Gain, Breanna Carpenter, Lexie Gain, Brianna Greenway and Carver Wooten; back row, Coach Heather Tiffner, Coach Melody Greenway, Layla Wooten, Hannah Tiffner, Haley Bachman, Alex Tiffner, Parker Curry, Peyton Ward, Joshua Huffman, Coach Tamera Wooten and Coach Jerry Hull.