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By Brad Smith

Lincoln County Schools

The Hustonville Elementary archery team has earned a spot in the state tournament for the first time in its history. They will compete in the event on March 13 at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center in Louisville.

The team is led by first year coach Melisha Berry. Ms. Berry is not only a first year coach, but she is also in her first year teaching Physical Education/Health at Hustonville Elementary. Before coming to Hustonville, she taught 19 years at Highland Elementary.

There are currently 19 archers on the team. Berry’s staff includes Christina Cook and three parent coaches, Mark Tate, Travis May and Jeremey McFarland. The team also has an official “Team Mamaw” — Mrs. Paula Sowers. “We have the best families a team could ask for, anything we need is taken care of,” said Coach Berry. “Our school is also very supportive of our team.”

HES archery competed in 10 events this season and has shown great improvement. They began the season with a score of 1803 and shot a season high score of 2663 in one event. Coach Berry said the team has set a lot of team records and has earned a spot in the state tournament for the first time, but the most important thing for her is to see the students learning a new skill and having fun while doing it.

The highlight of the season came on Feb. 15 when the team placed third at the Pulaski Southern Tournament and brought home their first archery trophy in school history. Berry said the team’s goal now is to qualify for nationals in May. She also said the team wants to host a tournament of their own at HES next year and hopes to add more trophies to their school trophy case in the future.

Hustonville Elementary School Principal Jeff Craiger said, “It’s been great seeing Ms. Berry in this new role and how her leadership has impacted our students. The more things we have to offer students, the better. I could not be prouder of this bunch.”