MADISON – Archers from Liberty Middle School competed at the Alabama National Archery in the Schools Program 3D State Tournament and qualified to advance to the national tournament.

Ten Liberty archers entered the first annual challenge held in Cullman in February. The students qualified to shoot at the National 3D NASP Challenge in Louisville, Ky. on May 10-12.

Liberty students participating in the challenge were eighth-graders Alex King, Ryan Hausermann, Ronald Humphrey and Sohan Mynampally; and seventh-graders Toby Anderson, Ashley Desarro, Sherwood Dong, Parth Kommidi, Emma Hope Skeen and Bailey Werka.

Lizzie Voeten, a member of Liberty’s team last year, competed as an individual representing James Clemens High School. Voeten placed third overall among high school girls.

Voeten’s score was high enough to earn a bid to the 2018 NASP Eastern National IBO 3D Challenge in Lexington, Ky. on May 10-12.

Cole Kelley serves as Archery Head Coach and in charge of the program at Liberty.

Eighth-grader Alex King, who is team captain, said this contest “was our first time to compete as a team in a 3D competition. It is amazing we won third place and get to go to nationals.”

For Ashley Desarro, a seventh-grader, the state challenge was the first time that she experienced three-dimensional shooting. “I loved it. It was a great challenge shooting at different targets,” Desarro said.

Seventh-grader Toby Anderson had one recommendation: “Just take it one arrow at a time.”