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If the aim of the National Archery in the Schools program is to introduce students to this lifelong sport, then organizers were well on their way to hitting the target in Utah.

On Saturday, more than 180 students from 10 schools participated in the 2012 state archery tournament at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center. That's four times the number (44) who participated in last year's inaugural event, said RaLynne Takeda of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

For the past two years, DWR has sponsored the archery program, providing bows, arrows, targets and other equipment to interested schools. The program also trains teachers to run the free programs - usually before or after school - for students in fourth through 12th grades.

Similar to other sports, archery teaches discipline and patience and helps participants gain self-confidence, which often extends into their academic and personal lives.

Takeda said just about anyone can be successful in the sport regardless of their age, gender, height or athletic abilities. In fact, several students with physical disabilities participated in this year's state tournament

"With archery you don't have to be overly athletic to be successful," said Nora Rodriguez, one of 28 students from Wasatch High School, which won the tournament. "I'm exactly 5 feet tall, so I'm too short for basketball and I don't like to run."

During the competition, which follows Olympic or "international-style" rules, students use a 20-pound composite bow to shoot 30 arrows. Half the arrows are shot while standing 10 meters (33 feet) from the target, the other half while standing 15 meters (49 feet) away. The highest possible score for each arrow is 10, which archers earn for hitting the yellow "bull's-eye" in the center. They earn fewer points for hitting the red, blue or black outer rings.

First-, second- and third-place awards were given to the highest scoring male and female student in each of the three categories: elementary, junior high and high school. A grand champion and team award also are given.

Brian MacKay said he initially joined Wasatch High's archery club - which meets once a week at 6:30 a.m. - to be with his friends. "But now I have fallen in love with the sport," he said. "It's something not many people can do."

Teammate Drew Spencer said he likes the "precision" of the sport, which requires perfection in everything from the way one holds the bow to how one stands.

"It's definitely my favorite hobby right now," he said.

But it takes practice, explained Nicole Granados, a student at Lakeridge Junior High in Orem. "I used to only hit the blue circle," she said. "But now I'm hitting the red and yellow more often."

The tournament was a family affair for the Granados family. Nicole's older sister as well as two of her cousins were competing.

"Archery has really helped them learn to be committed and responsible," said Nicole's uncle, Nefi Granados. "And it keeps them busy after school."

His 12-year-old daughter, Elaine, has other reasons for liking the sport: "The best thing," she said, "is getting to shoot the bow."

kathys@sltrib.com Top archers

Winners from the National Archery in the Schools state tournament held Saturday

Teams

1. • Wasatch High School: 2,787

2. • Clark Johnson Jr. High: 2,326.

3. • Thomas Jefferson Jr.: 2,290

Grand Champion

Highest score of a possible 300

Male • Braden Cook, North Ogden: 271

Female • Jennifer Howard, Thomas Jefferson: 244

High School male

1. • Drew Spencer, Wasatch: 256

2. • Brian MacKay, Wasatch: 255

3 • Matthew Davis, East: 248

High School female

1. • Whitney Kratz, Wasatch: 234

2. • Megan Shuurman, Thomas Jefferson: 226

3. • Kasadee Godfrey, Wasatch: 225,

Middle school male

1. • Patrick Black, Mt. Logan: 260

2. • Luke Brunson, Mt. Logan: 257

3. • Devin Dunnell, Lakeridge Jr.: 243

Middle School female

1. • Lindsey Turner, Thomas Jefferson: 242

2. • Julia Attridge, Thomas Jefferson: 241

3. • Cassie Hilton, Thomas Jefferson: 233

Elementary male

1. • Paul Brunson, Mt. Logan: 245

2. • Cade White, White Pine: 225

3. • Alec Romriell, White Pine: 220

Elementary female

1. • Natasha Nieves, Mt. Logan: 181

2. • Addison Lane, North Ogden: 178

3. • Lindy Rudd, White Pine: 161