The Trinity Raiders secured their first state championship in any sport this weekend at the S3DA Archery State Tournament in London, Ky.
Neighboring Daviess County placed second in the high school division, while the Owensboro Archery Club (OAC) won the high school club division.
OAC also took second in both the middle and elementary school club divisions, while Daviess County won the middle school title and finished third in the elementary school division.
Individually, the Raiders were led by a third-place finish from Clayton Rhodes in the high school pins division, while several of his teammates also placed in the top 10.
Recent Trinity graduate Sam Russelburg was ecstatic about the team’s victory and could not wait to begin preparations for the national event.
“For the next couple years we’re going to be pretty good, so hopefully there will be more state championships to come,” Russelburg said. “If we shoot like we did at state, I think we have a really good shot at winning nationals.”
Trinity High School only has an enrollment of 88 students, but since creating the program last year the interest has been incredibly high.
“I think this will make more people want to come to Trinity for the sport and be good for the community as well,” Russelburg said.
Head coach Josh Payne, who played a pivotal role in creating the program, was equally as excited about his team’s performance.
“It feels surreal. After doing so well in state and nationals last year, we had big goals we wanted to achieve this year,” Payne said. “We all put in the work and it showed.”
The small school in Whitesville boasts several academic and athletic accomplishments over the years, but the archery win puts them in new territory.
“This is huge for our program and the school,” Payne said. “This is the first state championship in Trinity High School’s history and we only hope to go up from here. I think this really puts us on the map.”
While enrollment puts them at a disadvantage, the school has pride and ambitions that far exceed many of their competitors. Payne attributed much of their recent success to his assistant coaches, the kids, their parents and the school community.
“We all share a bond and a love for the sport that is noticeable when we are competing,” Payne said. “The kids come in and put in the work and they are extremely coachable.”
With nationals set to take place from July 11-13 in Metropolis, Ill., the team is already working towards obtaining that national title.
“Our goal for nationals is obviously to come out on top, but as long as the kids try their best and have a little fun, then that’s all that matters,” Payne said. “They are already winners in my book.”
Top individual results, club divisions:
Meghan Curtis – 1st, High School Open Female
Travis Brown – 2nd, High School Pins Male
Kent Wethington – 2nd, Middle School Fixed Pins Male
Anslee Roberson – 2nd, Elementary Pins Female
Top individual results, school divisions:
John Brasher (Daviess County) – 3rd, Elementary Pins Male
Kinsley Redmon (Daviess County) – 1st, Fixed Pins Female
Clayton Rhodes (Trinity) – 3rd, High School Pins
