Archers take part in state meet

JACKSON — Franklin County participants fared well at the Archery in Mississippi Schools — AIMS — State Championship meet held last week at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center.

Franklin County High School finished its 3A divisional competition tied for second place overall with West Marion High School as both programs collected a 3,136-points team total.

Amory High School claimed first-place honors in the 3A meet with 3,151 points.

Other high school programs and their respective points finishes included: Shannon, fourth place, 3,022; Seminary, fifth place, 2,958; Raleigh, sixth place, 2,924; Clarkdale, seventh place; 2,868; and Winona, eighth place, 2,856.

FCHS boys’ individual showings included: Jaxon Westbrook, 274; Carter Goff, 272; Devin Roberts, 271; Miller Lloyd, 266; Drew Jones, 264; Ashton Moore, 257; Dre’yhlan Thomas, 255; Drake Higgs, 250; Tate Goff, 244; Sebastian Malone, 244; Caden Tyson, 244; Blake Mann, 229; Hayden Torrez, 224; Connor Bonds, 221; and Cooper Foster, 200.

The FC girls’ individual points totals included: Lilly Hutto, 275; Ava King, 252; Addison Beach, 251; Takira Ford, 249; Addison Lunsford, 247; Anna Underwood, 247; Katrena Taylor, 246; Maddie Bullion, 244; Cara Carbery, 240; Jessica Smith, 235; Abrielle Simmons, 230; and KaLeigha Smith, 213.

Franklin County Middle School archers completed the state meet with a sixth-place showing overall with 2,797 team points in the 3A ranks.

Itawamba Attendance Center claimed top honors with 3,159 points followed by Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School, 2,904; Presbyterian Christian School, 2,903; Sumrall Middle, 2,877; and Jefferson Middle, 2,813.

Finishing in seventh through 12th places were Pass Christian, 2,695; Purvis, 2,695; Shirley D. Simmons, 2,513; North Pike, 2,218; Plantersville, 2,127; and Sacred Heart, 1,913.

FCMS boys’ participants and their individual scores included: John Priest, 262; Levi Conley, 258; Hunter Smith, 257; Colt Hawes, 249; Younes Abuhakmeh, 233; Ethan Wallace, 231; and T.K. Martin, 224.

Middle school girls’ individual finishes included: Kaleigh King, 245; Savannah Emfinger, 235; Kate Wroten, 220; Samaya Dunn, 215; Makayla Graves, 168; and Alyssa Miller, 136.

The Franklin County Upper Elementary team finished sixth overall in a nine-team 3A field with 2,473 points.

The elementary-level first- through fifth-place teams were Tupelo Christian Prep School, 3,039; West Marion, 3,035; Simpson Central, 3,007; Greneda Elementary, 2,883; and Park Place Christian Academy, 2,683.

Finishing behind Franklin County in seventh through ninth places were Pisgah Elementary, 2,444; Winona Elementary, 1,997; and East Marion Elementary, 1,523.

FCUE boys’ individual final tallies included: Ridge Ross, 251; Trevor Touchstone, 250; Timothy Cupit, 238; Brayden Foy, 233; Seth Wroten, 214; Ethan Priest, 204; Luke Wroten, 178; and Brady Miller, 155.

FCUE girls’s scoring included: Aynslee McGraw, 201; Addison Perryman, 200; Gabby De La Garza, 179; Mckynleigh Ballard, 163; Caitilyn Ikerd, 162; Adyn Cummings, 143; and Maddie Spring, 119.

The AIMS program, coordinated through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, is open to students from across the Magnolia State in fourth through 12th grades.

FC’s archery program is sponsored and coached by Connie Johnston.