The Pinkston Middle School archery team has qualified for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission School State Championship, marking the program’s third year of competition.
KTLO Sports spoke with Coach Freddy Penka, who says the team will take about 20 to 22 archers to the state event in Hot Springs, where both the elementary and middle school teams will compete.
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Pinkston is one of 30 middle school teams in the state to qualify. Teams earn their spots through state qualifying tournaments held throughout the season.
Mountain Home hosted its first qualifying tournament in December at Pinkston Middle School. Based on those scores, the Bombers entered the state tournament ranked near tenth in the state.
The Pinkston archery program is still relatively new. Penka says the team started three years ago, and both the elementary and middle school teams qualified for state for the first time last year.
The sport has grown through the school’s Outdoor Adventure program, which introduced students to archery during the school day through the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). Interest from students has steadily increased, and the district hopes to eventually build a competitive high school team as participation grows.
Penka says watching students improve and gain confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of coaching.
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The state tournament will also include a charity drive benefiting Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry, encouraging teams to bring canned food donations to support families in need.
Pinkston’s elementary team will compete at 2, followed by the middle school team at 3 on Friday at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs.
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