Murfreesboro is prepping its quivers and bows for a show of precision and skill as the 2025 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Championships are set to take place March 12-14 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum. This event marks a gathering of over 1,900 students from 97 schools, all aiming to take the top spot in their respective age divisions: elementary, middle, and high school. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, attendees can expect intense competition, with awards to be handed out at the end of the three-day event.
The action kicks off on Wednesday, with students competing in flights starting at 3 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. The following day promises a marathon of matches, with the first of seven flights at 8:30 a.m., and the series culminating on Friday, when an award ceremony will follow the final flight at 4 p.m. The public has been extended an invitation to witness the championships, which boasts no admission fee, making it an accessible event for enthusiasts and the curious alike. Champions from last year, including Central Magnet High School, Stewarts Creek Middle School, and Christiana Elementary School, are expected to defend their titles won in 2024.
Tennessee unveiled NASP back in late 2004 with just a dozen pilot schools. The past two decades have seen an impressive growth in the program, now featuring nearly 700 schools. Designed as a two-week curriculum that teaches International Style Target Archery, NASP has been a formative experience for many students, introducing them to the sport within their school environments. Each archer at the championships will aim for precision over 30 arrows, 15 from 10 meters and 15 from 15 meters, with a perfect score being 300.
The stakes are high as the top team and the top 10 individuals in each division will secure automatic bids to the National NASP Tournament scheduled for May 8-10 in Louisville, Ky. At-large bids also remain up for grabs, giving additional sharpshooters a chance at nationals. For those interested in joining the NASP action, Don Crawford, Assistant Chief of the Public Relations Division, can be reached at [email protected] or (615) 293-5746 to get the ball rolling on starting a new NASP program at your school.
