Union County middle school marksman to go to national competition.
J.T. Polk, a sixth grader at Washington Middle School, has already proven he’s a good shot with a bow and arrow. He will further test his archery skills when he travels to Louisville, Kentucky to compete in the NASP Eastern National Tournament in April.
NASP stands for National Archery in the Schools Program and features regional, state and national tournaments for young archers. The state tournament in Arkansas was sponsored by Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
Polk finished fourth in the Boys Middle School Division during the state competition in Hot Springs, held on March 2. The top 10 qualified for the nationals.
“I didn’t know there was a top 10 that would get you to nationals individually,” said Polk. “But, I’m excited, real excited.”
Polk posted a score of 283 out of a possible 300.
“He’s been doing good all year,” said Coach Ethan Kelton. “He’s been staying in the 280s pretty much all year. He’s very consistent.”
The archers shoot at targets from a distance of 10 to 15 meters. The targets include a bull's eye of about two inches in diameter, according to Polk, who gets a bigger thrill from bigger targets. He said his father got him started with bow hunting.
“I killed a nine-point last year,” he said.
When asked which was a bigger thrill, the target or “the deer,” he answered quickly.
Polk said he plays other sports, including football. Archery, whether he takes it up as a sport or a hobby, could be a lifelong passion. “I just shoot all the time,” he said. His practice routine?
“I shoot every other day at my house. Before we went to state, we shot every day at school,” said Polk.
There are obvious attributesnecessary to being a good archer, including breathing control and sharp eyesight. Kelton believes Polk has what it takes to keep hitting the bull's eye.
“He’s very reliable on picking up on the small details and sticking with good form. And, he practices a lot at home,” said Kelton. “I think he did really good at state. I’m really glad he could stay calm under pressure. If he can do what he did at state again, if we can recreate that, he will be just fine at nationals.”
So far, Polk said 283 is his highest score. He will be aiming for 300 at nationals.
“I hope to shoot good in Kentucky,” he said. “I hope to shoot better than I did in Hot Springs.”