Beech Tree News Network

Raucous cheers reverberated from the Morgantown Elementary gym Monday afternoon as the school celebrated the Morgantown Elementary School Archery Team's upcoming trip to the 2016 NASP Tournament Saturday in Louisville. Morgantown Elementary Archery Head Coach Shawn White said the team has experienced a successful season, noting the team has accrued 132 individual awards and eight team awards. "NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) is the fastest growing sport in schools right now," White said. "One of the added benefits of the program is that it increases attendance and it helps kids keep their grades up." White said the sport's culture of inclusion helps kids thrive. "It's not only a sport that benefits the school system, it benefits the students as well," he said. "It's a program that allows students wouldn't normally have an opportunity to participate in a sport a chance to be fair and be able to shoot with someone. Kids that never White is confident his team will compete at a high level, but regardless is thrilled with the team's effort this season. "I just want to them to go and have fun, I want them to leave with a smile on their face," he said. "I don't want them to leave with their head down. I want them to proud of themselves and what they've accomplished this year. It's a pretty big deal for these kids. They have worked really hard all year long."