The Long County archery team competed June 28-July 3 in the National Shooters Sports Invitational in Kerrville, Texas, and finished in third place.
Team members Nick Garcia, Emily Stephens, Linda Stephens and Cassie Pelton, who competed with archers from around the nation, earned bronze medals in the field round competition, the Federation of International of Target Archery division and the 3D division.
In individual competition, Linda Stephens won a silver medal as the runner-up in the field division, a bronze medal in the FITA division and finished fourth in the individual overall competition.
Garcia finished eighth in the FITA division, eighth in the 3D division, 10th in the field round division and eighth overall in the individual competition.
"These youth and their coaches displayed professionalism, courtesy and good sportsmanship during the meet," Long County 4-H Program Coordinator Lisa Overbey said. "They truly exemplified the ideals of the 4-H Club, which are ‘head to clearer thinking,’ ‘heart to greater loyalty,’ ‘hands to larger service’ and ‘health to a better living.’"
The archery team, which is organized through the Long County 4-H Club, is in its eighth year. In addition to their third-place national finish, the archers also won the state competition.