Local archery teams took to the range this past weekend in various tournaments throughout the commonwealth.
Mason County took a trip to Independence to compete in the Community Christian Academy state qualifier 3D tournament, and placed third out of 14 teams in attendance.
Dillon Mitchell led for the Royals in the high school boys division, shooting a 290 to place first out of 90 archers in the division. Rocky Kirk then shot a 259 to take 19th, Asthon Smith a 253 to take 26th and Kdrien Morton a personal best 203 to take 82nd.
Mary Katherine Shepherd had the Lady Royals’ strongest showing, putting up a 263 to place 15th out of 127 archers in contention. Alayna French then put up a personal best 261 to take 18th, Evangeline Smith a 257 to place 23rd, Haley McDonald a 252 to take 28th and Aleah Polley a 251 to take 30th, closing out the Lady Royals’ top 5.
Fleming County headed east to compete in the Ashland Blazer Shootout state qualifier, and took first as a team.
Chase Bretz, Landen Faris and Jacob Justice had the Panthers’ three best finishes, Bretz taking second out of 104 with a 287, Faris third with a 284 and Justice fourth with a 283. Carson Thomas and Kevin Alfrey then both shot 278s, with Thomas’ 15 tens placing him sixth, and Alfrey’s 14 placing him seventh, closing out the top five for Fleming County.
Reagan Guzman led the Lady Panthers at fifth out of 114 with a 274, followed by Debbie Pollitt at 11th with a 270, Kinlee Bussell at 16th with a 269, Hannah Frist at 25th with a 263 and Felisha Qualls at 27th with a 262.
The Augusta Panthers also competed this past weekend, heading to Villa Hills to participate in the Villa Madonna New Year’s Nock Out, placing seventh as a team.
Cayden Bach led for the Panthers, with a personal best 271 placing him ninth out of 76. Tristen Price followed at 33rd with a 256 and Ayden Courts at 59th with a 227. The Lady Panthers were led by JoBeth Schmidt and Abbey Bradford, who both shot 252s. Schmidt’s six tens placed her 29th, and Bradford’s five placed her 30th. Carlee Courts followed at 35th with a 250 and Nora Gill’s 245 placed her 45th, closing out Augusta’s performances this tournament.
Bracken County took part in the Calvary Christian Polished Arrows tournament, with five archers competing as individuals.
In the high school boys division, Levi Botkin placed 10th out of 61, shooting a 265, followed by Dameon Streine, whose 224 placed him 48th. In the high school girls division, Sydney Blaine placed fourth out of 54 with a 276, followed by Alayna Caudill at 11th with a 268 and Ellie Gallagher at 36th with a 244.
The Robertson County Black Devils will return to competition next weekend with their own RCS Winter Bullseye State Qualifier, on Jan. 16-17 2026. Augusta, Bracken County, Fleming County and Mason County will all be in attendance.
