FCHS archers claim top team spot in 3A south qualifier

HATTIESBURG — Franklin County High School’s archery team claimed top honors in Class 3A competition during the Archery in Mississippi Schools (AIMS) south qualifier last week at the Forrest County Multipurpose Center.

Led by coach and sponsor Connie Johnston, FCHS archers took first-place with 3,154 team points and finished ahead of second-place West Marion (3,135); third-place Seminary (2,911); fourth-place Raleigh (2,872); and fifth-place Clarkdale (2,841).

Among Franklin County’s female competitors, Lilly Hutto finished as her squad’s top shooter with a 289, followed by Abrielle Simmons with a 272 and Ava King with a 266.

Other FC individual female scores included: Maddie Bullion, 257; Addison Beach, 254; Takira Ford, 250; Jessica Smith, 246; Katrena Taylor, 246; Cara Carbery, 244; Anna Underwood, 234; Addison Lunsford, 218; and Kaleigha Smith, 178.

On the boy’s side, FC’s Jaxon Westbrook was top shooter with a 277 individual finish. Caden Tyson shot a 266 while both Drew Jones and Devin Roberts finished with a 258.

Other individual male scores for the Bulldogs included: Miller Lloyd, 254; Carter Goff, 253; Drake Higgs, 231; Sabastian Malone, 231; Connor Bonds, 242; Hayden Torrez, 230; Ashton Moore, 221; Dre’yhlan Thomas, 220 Tate Goff, 213; Blake Mann, 209; and Cooper Foster, 203.

Franklin County Middle School archers finished sixth overall out of a 10-team, 3A field in the qualifier.

FC’s Kaleigh King paced the middle school female shooters thanks to an individual best 230 with Savannah Emfinger winding up with a 229 and Makayla Graves collecting a 204.

Other local middle school girls shooters and their individual scores were: Samaya Dunn, 199; Kate Wroten, 183; Alyssa Miller, 169; and Ivy Hickingbottom, 143.

In middle school boys’ competition, Levi Conley had a team-best individual score of 257 followed by Colt Hawes and John Priest’s 253 and Hunter Smith’s 239.

Also contributing to the middle school boys’ effort were: T.K. Martin 238; Younes Abuhakmeh, 227; and Ethan Wallace, 167.

Finishing first among 3A middle school teams was Sumrall (2,938 team points) followed by Saint Andrew’s Episcopal (2,867); Presbyterian Christian School (2,832); Purvis Middle (2,820); Pass Christian (2,711) and Franklin County (2,681).

Finishing behind Franklin County Middle School were Vancleave (2,609); North Pike (2,593); Jefferson (2,538); and Sacred Heart (2,297).

Among participating elementary schools, Franklin County claimed fourth-place honors with 2,326 team points at the Hattiesburg event behind first-place West Marion (2,991); Simspon Central (2,974); and Pisgah (2,417).

East Marion finished in fifth-place overall with 1,631 team points.

FC elementary female shooter scores included: Gaby De La Garza, 206; Adyn Cummings, 198; Aynslee McGraw, 181; Mckynleigh Ballard, 176; Maddie Spring, 176; Caitlyn Ikard, 158; and Addison Perryman, 146.

Elementary boys scores were: Trevor Touchstone, 237; Ethan Priest, 213; Ridge Ross, 206; Timothy Cupit, 194; Luke Wroten, 193; Seth Wroten, 188; Brayden Foy, 149; and Brady Miller, 148.

AIMS, which is promoted through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, seeks to introduce fourth through 12th grade students across the Magnolia State to the sport of international-style target archery.

Started in 2005 with 10 schools, the program has grown to include more than 500 schools in 50 Mississippi counties with more than 80,000 participants statewide.

The growth of AIMS has followed the national trend of competitive archery becoming one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.