Ward County was represented by 22 youth archers who competed across multiple age and bow divisions. The hybrid match offered both in-person and postal options, allowing participants to compete from their home ranges while still being scored alongside archers statewide.

Ward County archers shot their targets at the Souris Valley Bowmen range in Minot before mailing completed targets to LaMoure County for official scoring.

Participation in postal matches helps 4-H archers build consistency, confidence and competition readiness while gaining experience in a structured tournament setting, according to the 4-H program. The LaMoure County match marked the beginning of the indoor season for Ward County 4-H archery members.

Indoor competitions are divided by age and bow type. Age divisions include Beginner (8-10), Junior (11-13), Senior (14-18) and Masters (14 and older who have qualified for national competition). Bow divisions include Barebow, which uses no sights or release aids, and Freestyle, which allows both.

Submitted Photo Ward County 4-H archers take aim during the LaMoure County Hybrid Archery Match at the Souris Valley Bowmen indoor range in Minot. Pictured, from left: Tyson Perdue, Breanna Mindt, Brynlee Bloms, Paislee Everson and Faith Carpenter.

Senior Freestyle Division placements and scores were:

– Teagan Strilcov, Minot, third, 293

– Brynlee Bloms, Carpio, fourth, 290

Additional competitors included Faith Carpenter of Granville and Paislee Everson, Breanna Mindt, Tyson Perdue, Cole Whitcher and Brandie Yoder, all of Minot. The team of Bloms, Everson, Mindt and Strilcov placed second with a combined score of 856.

In the Senior Barebow Division, Mindt placed 10th with a score of 262.

Also representing Ward County were Bloms, Raegan Albert of Garrison and Clara Potts of Minot. Their team placed third with a combined score of 766.

Placing in the Junior Freestyle Division were:

– Quade Everson, Minot, fourth, 145

– Owen Peterson, Minot, fifth, 145 (tie broken by X count)

– Tyson Yoder, Minot, ninth, 141

– Tabitha Hauge, Surrey, 10th, 141 (tie broken by X count)

Additional participants included Peyton Opp, Ryder Prellwitz, Hadley Yoder and Kelbie Yoder, all of Minot. The team of Everson, Hauge, Peterson and Tyson Yoder earned second place with a combined score of 431.

Taryn Albert, Garrison, placed ninth with a score of 251 in the Junior Barebow Division. Rhett Bloms, Carpio, finished eighth with 111 points in the Beginner Freestyle Division.

Also competing were Claire Babinchak of Carpio and Emma Peterson of Minot. The team of Babinchak, Rhett Bloms and Emma Peterson placed third with a combined score of 286.

Rhett Bloms placed third with a score of 248 in the Beginner Barebow Division.

Youth interested in joining Ward County 4-H archery, or adults interested in volunteering, are encouraged to contact NDSU Extension Ward County.