HP Archery on Target at Western National Tournament

Highland Park archers earned top individual and team finishes at last weekend’s western national tournament in Sandy, Utah.

The event from the National Archery in the Schools Program brought together thousands of archers from 25 states, according to pre-registration data.

Highland Park High School’s archers finished in eighth place out of the 45 teams in the high school division of the bullseye tournament.

The school’s top archer, Elle Pace, scored 283 points, including 15 tens. Pace ranked 35^th out of 420 high school girls.

Other top high school archers were Charlie Crain, who scored 282 points, and Henry Zhu, who scored 281 points.

Highland Park Middle School ranked 14^th out of 41 teams in the bullseye tournament’s middle division. 

The school’s top archer, Naomi Chen, scored 292 points to finish in first place out of 438 middle school girls. Chen ranked third overall out of 1,115 girls in the competition. Her total included 23 tens — meaning that out of 30 arrows shot, she missed the bullseye just seven times.

Other top archers were Everett Heis, who scored 282 points, and Wilson Hornbach, who scored 277 points.

Highland Park only recently began competing in the National Archery in the Schools Program national tournament. The high school’s archery team made its first appearance in 2023.

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Sarah Hodges

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Sarah Hodges is editor of People Newspapers. She wrote for The Kansas City Star, served in the Peace Corps, worked as a law firm associate, and spent more than a decade caring for her children as a stay-at-home parent prior to joining Park Cities People as managing editor in 2024. In her spare time, you can find her running, either around the neighborhood or to various kid activities.