MDC encourages community support at MoNASP state tournament in Branson March 24-25.

Jefferson City, Missouri -  About 2,500 student archers from schools around the state will compete at the Missouri National Archery in Schools Program (MoNASP) ninth annual state tournament on March 24-25 at the Branson Convention Center. The public is welcome to attend to support the participants. This year’s tournament will have a gate fee of $7.

MoNASP is coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) in partnership with about 600 participating schools and numerous supporting organizations throughout the state. More than 170,000 Missouri students participate in the program. MoNASP is an affiliate of the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) and promotes education, self-esteem, and physical activity for students in grades 4-12 through participation in the sport of archery.

"Missouri is a great place to hunt and fish, and a great place for shooting sports such as archery," said MDC MoNASP Coordinator Eric Edwards. "MoNASP not only teaches students the lifelong skills that come from archery, but it also helps them excel in the classroom."

More than 12,000 student archers around the state have competed so far this winter in local tournaments with the hope of qualifying for one of the 2,500 spots at the state tournament. Student archers, who shoot qualifying scores at the state tournament, will earn spots at the NASP national tournament this spring in Louisville, Ky.

Shown in the submitted photo: Student archers from around the state will compete in the MoNASP ninth annual state tournament on March 24-25 at the Branson Convention Center.