Frankfort, KY (March 21, 2004) - After 72,000 arrows fired by 1,800 archers from more than 100 schools from four states, last week’s third annual National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Tournament’s most dramatic story of the day came down to just two shots – and a fraction of an inch.

Trigg County’s powerful first place elementary, middle and high school teams were still on Kentucky’s International Convention Center floor, and no one in the 1,500-strong crowd awaiting the predictable awards presentation anticipated the spellbinding drama about to unfold in the scholarship shootout.

That’s because most already knew that Trigg County High School junior Graham Cofield successfully defended his 2004 NASP Tournament championship by hitting the one-inch round "X" ring with 29 out of 30 arrows for a near perfect 298 score. They also knew Pulaski County High freshman Ashley Rose had repeated as the nation’s top female shooter.

But this was a shootout for scholarship money. When the tournament’s top four male and top four female archers nocked their first arrow from 15-meters and with $14,000 in scholarship money up for grabs, few expected a 4^th grader and two middle school students to be standing among five high school shooters. The crowd edged in close.

Four scholarships for the boys. Four for the girls. The winner to get $2,500, runner-up $2,000, third place $1,500 and fourth $1,000. Fifteen arrows – in five-shot elimination matches – determine the placings and the scholarship awards.

"We are not aware of any other elementary, middle or high school sports event where cash scholarships are awarded," said Roy Grimes, tournament coordinator and aide to Department of Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Tom Bennett. "This is Olympic style archery and basically an intramural sport in our schools. But these kids took a giant step toward their future today."

Somerset High School junior Mariko Nishimura and Henderson County South Middle School 7^th grader Dylan Bailey dropped off after the first five arrows and claimed $1,000 scholarships each.

Tiny Taylor Cundiff, standing barely elbow tall to Cofield on the shooting line, instantly became the crowd’s sentimental favorite. The Pulaski County Hopkins Elementary 4^th grader provoked a collective roar when his first arrow found the "X" ring. He went on to win a $1,500 scholarship along with Meade County High freshman Courtney Campbell in the girls’ column.

That left four shooters – two boys, two girls – and the drama building as Cofield, and his brother, Trigg Middle Schooler Grady Cofield, squared off for the boys’ top prize. Cousins, Ashley Rose and Somerset High School freshman Rebecca Wesson, toed the line for the girls. Their next five arrows would separate the $2,500 scholarship from the runner-up’s, $2,000.

The elder Cofield edged little brother, but the real drama was just beginning. The cousins were still tied.

Rose’s 283 score out of a possible 300 had just secured her second straight NASP Tournament championship. Wesson, from county rival Somerset High School, participated last year, but did not place. She had never beaten her cousin. Her 274 for the day’s targets was just nine points off Rose’s win.

"I prayed about it – to do well – and possibly beat my cousin," said Wesson. "She won it all last year and I really hoped I could beat her."

The crowd inched even closer as the two stepped to the line for the tiebreaker.

One arrow. One shot. Closest to the center of the "X".

A roar erupted from the Pulaski County group as Rose raised her bow and calmly drilled the "X" ring. She later said the pressure lifted after the day’s first shot. " A lot of it, I think, is that you put your mind to it and you can do it," she said.

Wesson studied the target, dried her fingers against her jeans pocket and lifted her bow. Three thousand eyes turned her way and the crowd grew quiet – then erupted in unison when her arrow also found the "X" ring.

Two shots. Two "X’s".

She reacted instantly, leaping into the air, both hands covering her mouth and face, and peeking over her fingertips at her near perfect result. She knew. She had nipped her cousin for the top scholarship prize.

But to the crowd staring at two apparent perfect shots, it wasn’t until three tournament judges and a measuring tape pronounced her triumph that they knew. One judge acknowledged that it was essentially the "skin of an arrow" separating the two.

"I think we proved that archery can be a spectator sport," said Grimes. "With this high drama, it was certainly evidenced here tonight."

The girls hugged and hugged. Cousins, competitors, school rivals, champions. And arm in arm they strolled into the crowd together.

"I just wanted to beat her for once," said the freshman through reddened eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. " I practiced at school and at home."

She acknowledged her nervousness before that deciding shot.

"I was shaking so bad," she said. "The only two people I could hear were my coach and my sister. Coach Floyd was telling me to breathe – to take a deep breath.

"My family was very excited. I had a lot of phone calls to make," she said.

"I’d prefer to lose to her than anyone else," said Rose.

"We’ve never practiced together, but we’re going to start," said Wesson, already looking ahead to next year’s tournament. "I don’t play any other sports. I cherish archery.

"I can’t wait to go back next year – and again, and again."

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