Hill Farm Elementary School fifth grade student Cora Loftis, left, earned top honors at State archery competition.
Four months ago, Cora Loftis, a fifth-grade student at Hill Farm Elementary School in Bryant, didn’t know how to hold a bow. But, on Friday, April 1, at the Arkansas Archery for the Schools Program State Tournament in Hot Springs, she earned overall top archer honors in the elementary division, besting, according to Hill Farm Physical Education coach Nancy Wood, not only all the elementary girls but also the boys with a score of 277.
“She even used a stock bow from the school and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission arrows,” Wood noted.
In addition, another fifth-grader, Sam Herring, placed third in the state 3D shooting tournament.
Overall, the Hill Farm fourth and fifth grade team finished second in regionals and qualified for State in the team’s first year.
“That’s a feat few schools accomplish in the competitive environment of Arkansas Archery in the Schools Program,” said Wood. “The team also beat rival regional powerhouse Glen Rose Elementary at the state competition level.”
The program was started through a grant from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Mike Armstrong, Neal Styles and Scott Morris served as volunteer coaches.
“Without their support, this program would not have been successful,” Wood said.
Team members are fourth graders Devin Thompson, Nathan Lewellen, Austin Armstrong, Jase Ham, Zachary Broach, Julian Botello, Grayson Outlaw, Chance Stewart, Kaylee Smith, Brooks Blakeley, Joules Green and Wesleigh Ferguson; and fifth graders Sean Morris, Carson Kemp, Miguel Romero, Caden Payne, Herring, Kinsey Gregory, T.J. Fullerton, Breanna Gresham, Loftis, Abigail Courtois, Josh Rice and Joshua Moore.
