The Archery Team has had an active season this year, recently winning the 6A North State Tournament in Oxford. The win qualifies the JA team to head to the AIMS State Championship on April 20 at the Kirk Fordice Center at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson.
The team was formed in the 2014-15 school year. They participate in the 6A division in a program called Archery in Mississippi Schools (AIMS) and have had four meets with local schools this year. Mallory Gnemi and Becky Clarke coach the team.
Archery team members include Gemma Andrews, Caitlyn Brown, Caden Callison, Morgan Cheatham, Reese Hill, Breck Hines, Michael Holly, Aaron Howard, Lewis Huff, Josie Huff, Caden Jones, Amanda Lewis, Adi Mehta, Ella McLendon, Colton Ogden, Brandon Parker, Ann Marie Penick, Andrew Provias, Clayton Purcell, Logan Rohman, Wyatt Rohman, Cayden Shorter, Adonis Terry, Julia Thompson, Charlie Voyles, and Alexander Weems. Students from sixth through twelfth grades can participate in archery.
These students are participating in what is considered one of the fastest growing sports nationally and in Mississippi according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website (click here to visit the website). The site notes that the program has grown from its start in 2005 with 10 schools to more than 500 schools in 50 counties and more than 80,000 students participating each year. More than 5,000 student archers compete annually in the AIMS State Championships. Mississippi students also rank at the highest levels in both National and International Archery competitions every year, the site says.
