Archery in Schools Eastern Nationals at the Kentucky Exposition Center

The National Archery in the Schools Program Eastern Nationals aims to bring 14,500 student archers to the Kentucky Exposition Center May 10-12. The event also brings $6.3 million in economic impact to Louisville.

For the first time, there will be Eastern and Western nationals in Louisville and Salt Lake City, respectively, allowing for more student participation. The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) expects to break last year’s participation record, with the tournament filling South Wings AB and C, East Hall, North Wing, West Wing and Broadbent Arena.

The National Archery in the Schools Program partners with the International Bowhunting Organization to present the 3D Challenge, which is held during the national tournament. More than 5,000 students are set to compete in the challenge, a 25% increase from last year’s event, where archers take aim at foam animal targets that include a turkey, mountain sheep, deer and bear.

Students who compete at the national tournaments can advance to the first ever NASP World Tournament held June 7-9 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. At the world competition, cash scholarships totaling $159,000 will be awarded to the top individual and team archers. Winners may use the scholarships for post-high school education, including university, college, technical school and military training.

The hours of NASP Eastern Nationals are:

Thursday, May 10       8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Friday, May 11           8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 12       8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

A full schedule is online at www.nasptournaments.org.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 13-18). Children 12 and under, registered archers and coaches are free.

For more information about NASP and the tournament, visit www.nasptournaments.org.