In just their third year of existence, the Washington Demon archery program is starting to be a yearly fixture at the state’s biggest competition of the year. The seventh annual National Archery in School Program’s (NASP) State Shoot takes place all day today at the Iowa Deer Classic in Des Moines.

During the regular season, the high school team competed in seven shoots, posting an average score of 3194 and placing in the top three in five of their seven tournaments. The team qualified for the state shoot by scoring a two meet score of 6442 in the Mount Vernon and Cardinal of Eldon shoots. The high schoolers needed a combined score of 5998 points in the two meets to qualify for state.

Washington’s high school squad finished eighth overall in last year’s state competition, shooting a combine score of 3199. The score helped Washington qualify for the national competition in Louisville, Ky last May.

Sophomore John Sands was the Demons’ top overall shooter this season, averaging 281 out of possible 300 points. Senior Alex Sinn has been the best of the Demon girl archers throughout the season with an average score of 277. Sophomore Grace Shafer-Smith ended the regular season with a 276 season average score, but has posted a median score of 284 in her final three shoots.

This is the first year the Washington Middle School and Lincoln Elementary squads have qualified for the team shoot. In their six meets, the middle schools team has posted an average score of 2969 and finished in the top three in five of the shoots. The team qualified for the state shoot by scoring a two meet score of 5989 in the Washington and Cardinal of Eldon shoots. They needed a combined score of 5798 points to qualify for the state shoot.

In seven meets this season, the Lincoln Elementary team posted an average score of 2699. The team qualified for the state shoot by recording a two meet score of 5599 in the Washington and Cardinal of Eldon shoots. The elementary archers needed to score 5398 points in two meets to qualify for state.

The seventh annual National Archery in School Program’s (NASP) State Shoot begins at 8 a.m. and lasts all day today at the Iowa Deer Classic in Des Moines. Listen to Monday’s local sports page on KCII for results.