Apple Valley Middle School's Hunter Skills Team advances to state tournament

Dean Hensley, Hendersonville Times-News
·2 min read

COLUMBUS - On March 18 at the Polk County Gun Club, the North Carolina Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament, hosted the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, was held and only one Henderson County team placed high enough to advance to the state competition: Apple Valley Middle School.

In an almost repeat performance from last year, Apple Valley's Hunter Skills Team, coached by Resource Officer Rick Garren, had two top-three finishes, placing second in the Hunter Skills written test and third in Archery.

The Apple Valley Middle School Rifle and Archery Team pose after its two top-three finishes at the district tournament in Columbus. From left to right are Aadison Lindsey, Cora Case, Xander Sorenson, Caitlyn Murphy, Karlie Laughter, Brodie McHone, Elijah Reaves, Evan Fortin, Samu Miller, Tristan Isaacs, Isaac Goode, Rick Garren- Coach, Danica Garren and Cailyn Case. Team members not pictured are Blake Wilson, Meadow Guidash, Sam Tondra and Skylar Gorter.

Last year, the team placed third in the rifle competition and third in Hunter Skills written test. With its second-place and third-place finishes this year, Apple Valley had enough points to once again advance to the state tournament, which will be on April 29 in Ellerbe at the John Lentz Hunter Education Complex.

"We are very excited to be representing Henderson County at the NC Wildlife Resources youth hunter education skills state tournament," Garren told the Times-News on April 4. "These students have worked very hard and have shown they are willing to put forth the effort to compete at this level. These students participate in the written test, shotgun, rifle, archery and orienteering. The students, parents and coaches have worked many hours building this team. I am proud to be a member of this family."

The top two finishing teams at the district tournament advance to state. At the March 18 district tournament, there were a total of 31 high school and middle school teams competing and there were four events: Hunter Skills test consisting of 100 questions, Rifle, Archery and Shotgun.

Of the 122 teams competing in regional tournaments in the state, Apple Valley ended up ranked 14th, Garren said.

More: Apple Valley Middle School Rifle Team places at the district tournament

Apple Valley's team members are as follows: Aadison Lindsey, Cora Case, Xander Sorenson, Caitlyn Murphy, Karlie Laughter, Brodie McHone, Elijah Reaves, Evan Fortin, Samu Miller, Tristan Isaacs, Isaac Goode, Danica Garren, Cailyn Case, Blake Wilson, Meadow Guidash, Sam Tondra and Skylar Gorter.

Apple Valley Middle Schol's Aadison Lindsey and Cora Case compete in the archery competition at the district tournament held March 18 in Columbus.
Apple Valley Middle Schol's Aadison Lindsey and Cora Case compete in the archery competition at the district tournament held March 18 in Columbus.

The team members who had the runner-up finish in the Hunter Skills test were Danica Garren, Sorenson and Case, and the third-place archery team members were Isaacs, Murphy, Lindsey, Case and Reaves.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Apple Valley Hunter Skills Team advances to the state tourney