Tortola, BVI – The arrows flew high and proud at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on May 4, 2025, as 41 student archers from eight schools across the Virgin Islands gathered for the 9th Annual National Archery Championships. The event, hosted by the Virgin Islands Field Archery Federation in partnership with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), featured intense competition, exciting prizes, and a celebration of archery excellence among the territory’s youth.
Participating schools included Elmore Stoutt High School, St. George’s Secondary, BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, Cedar International School, Enis Adams Primary, Ciboney Centre for Excellence, and Jost Van Dyke School.
Bullseye Action Opens the Day
The competition began with the Bullseye Tournament at 10:30 a.m., with 20 archers lining the 10-meter mark. After three rounds of six ends each, division winners were crowned, and top shooters identified.
Elementary Division – Boys
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Cy Frett (Ciboney Centre) – 147
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Caleb Joseph (Enis Adams Primary) – 124
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Kai Seffer (Ciboney Centre) – 103
(No elementary girls competed this year.)
Middle School Division – Boys
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Henry Clifton (Cedar International) – 237
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Ka’Ori Augustine (St. George’s Secondary) – 231
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Saxton Stoutt (Cedar International) – 186
Middle School Division – Girls
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Alleina Potter (Cedar International) – 197
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Sade Samuel (BVI SDA) – 186
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Thya Bartholomew (Ciboney Centre) – 185
High School Division – Boys
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Valentin Zaharebelnyj (Ciboney Centre) – 256
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Nicolas Moore (Ciboney Centre) – 254
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Sheylon Brown (Ciboney Centre) – 253
High School Division – Girls
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Kasadiyah Baird (BVI SDA) – 255
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Ava Ghiorse (Cedar International) – 247
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Ashleigh Hearne (Cedar International) – 242
Each division champion received a trophy and a Genesis Championship Bow.
Top Shooters Earn Spots in Scholarship Shoot-Off
The top five male and female scorers overall qualified for the highly anticipated Scholarship Shoot-Off, competing for cash awards towards their tertiary education.
Top 5 Boys:
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Valentin Zaharebelnyj – 256
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Nicolas Moore – 254
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Sheylon Brown – 253
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Blyden Aldridge (St. George’s) – 242
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Henry Clifton – 237
Top 5 Girls:
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Kasadiyah Baird – 255
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Ava Ghiorse – 247
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Ashleigh Hearne – 242
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Jene Barnwell (BVI SDA) – 237
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Malia Connell (St. George’s) – 233
Each finalist received a plaque, and the results of the Scholarship Shoot-Off were as follows:
Girls – Cash Awards:
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Ava Ghiorse – $2,100
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Jene Barnwell – $1,500
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Ashleigh Hearne – $1,080
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4th: Malia Connell – $720
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5th: Kasadiyah Baird – $600
Boys – Cash Awards:
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Sheylon Brown – $2,100
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Valentin Zaharebelnyj – $1,500
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Henry Clifton – $1,080
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4th: Nicolas Moore – $720
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5th: Blyden Aldridge – $600
All scholarship funds will be paid directly to each student’s chosen post-secondary institution.
3D Challenge Adds Realism and Excitement
After the Bullseye rounds, archers had the option to compete in the 3D IBO Challenge, a realistic event using life-sized 3D animal targets at six stations.
3D Boys Results:
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Blyden Aldridge (225) – $750
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Keandre Matthew BVI SDA (223) – $450
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Oshane Mason BVI SDA (221) – $300
3D Girls Results:
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Kasadiyah Baird (253) – $750
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Jene Barnwell (228: more 10s scored) – $450
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Ava Ghiorse (228) – $300
A Milestone Year for Archery in the VI
This year’s championship marked the 9th year of NASP operations in the Virgin Islands, and the first joint venture with the Virgin Islands Field Archery Federation. Organizers hailed the event as a success and have already set sights on an even bigger celebration for the 10th anniversary in 2026.
“The passion, discipline, and sportsmanship on display today prove that archery is thriving in the Virgin Islands,” said a spokesperson for the Federation. “We look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead.”