LAWRENCEBURG — For years, Anderson County has been home to one of the nation’s elite archery programs.

Whether it was at the high school or in the middle school, archers from the two schools are accustomed to being at the top of the rankings both in the state and across the nation.

Most recently, the high school won the state Operation UNITE tournament in Lexington. And the program has recently been ranked in the top 10 nationally in the 3D competition and in the top 20 in bullseye.

And, individually, the school can boast having the co-state individual champion and the third-place finisher in the co-ed tournament.

“Our co-ed team put up an awesome performance to capture that state title this year,” said coach Shannon Ferguson.”We have started calling them the magnificent seven, we only won by five points so we had very little room for error. Everyone on that scoring team was key.”

Ryan Heng is a perfect student/athlete, according to Ferguson.

“Ryan Heng puts up a monster score to give the team some cushion,” said Ferguson. “He usually is the first one at practice and the last to leave. I know every time he steps on the floor, he is constantly trying to improve and striving for perfection.”

On top of that, Ferguson said Heng is the perfect teammate, always willing to help others.

“I love that Ryan is a KHSAA state champ,” said Ferguson. “This is a well deserved honor for him.”

Another role model is Alana Bryant, who placed third in the state co-ed event.

“Alana was the 2024 NASP state 3D and bullseye state champ,” said the coach. “This is another archer that is literally trying to shoot a perfect score every time she takes the floor. Alana has great work ethic, she hardly ever misses a practice and, if she does, it is to compete in another division with her recurve bow.”

To win a state championship, the entire team has to have super performances.

Besides Heng and Bryant, Ferguson said the team got superior performances for the other scorers. She said Breanna Woodside had a great shoot and senior Rylie Moore scored a career best. Courtney Moore was an anchor for the team and continued to have solid scores in the big events. Anna Ferguson is a six-year letter for the team and had a great state shoot.

And freshman Zachary Cummins shot a career best to seal the win.

The victory came as the team stepped up as Arlena Cox was unable to attend due to a death in the family.

Ferguson said at the beginning of the season, she knew is would be a special team.

“I told another coach if someone else wins state 3D this year, they would have to go through Anderson County as our top seven are going to be pretty hard to beat for the KHSAA state,” said Ferguson.

While not getting the publicity of the “ball” sports, Ferguson said Anderson County is a very supportive community.

“Our success is based on a community around us that supports archery,” said Ferguson, who added her assistant coaches -Steve Poole, John Moore and Samantha Willis — are the best in the business.

And Ferguson praised athletic director Jesse Currens for his support.

But the most critical factor remains the students.

“The most critical ingredient is student athletes who are willing to put in the work, trust what we are coaching them and strive to be perfect every time they shoot.”

In the boys/coed individual competition, Heng tied with Mason County’s Bryce Pollitt with a 295. Other top Anderson finishers included sophomore Alanah Bryant, third, 293; senior Rylie Moore, 34th, 286; senior Breanna Woodside, 34th, 286; senior, Anna Ferguson, 86th, 281; junior Courtney Moore, 97th, 280; freshman Zachary Cummins, 108th, 279; senior Damon Bowman, 127th, 277; sophomore Anson Donahue, 182nd, 271; freshman Allen Patton, 199th, 269; junior Dalton Poole, 199th, 269; and junior Connor Glass, 275th, 254.

In the girls’ individual competition, freshman Adrianne Montgomery finished 45th with a score of 282; freshman Katance McQueen, 52nd, 281; freshman Bralynn Gallegos, 92nd, 278; freshman Harmony Dennemann, 111th, 275; sophomore Gwendolyn Patton, 126th, 273; freshman Tatum (E.T.) Larson, 157th, 269; freshman Torrie Garlen, 163rd, 268; freshman Amber Willis, 163rd, 268; junior Layla Prestenbach, 195th, 264; sophomore Katelyn Russell, 208th, 262; sophomore Anna Simpson, 224th, 259; and freshman Hailey Sothen, 259th, 251.

The team included: Damon Bowman, Alana Bryant, Arlena Cox, Allen Patton, Anson Donahue, Anna Ferguson, Connor Glass, Ryan Heng, Courtney Moore, Rylie Moore, Dalton Poole, Breanna Woodside, Zachary Cummins, Dalton Fisher, Jaxon Satterly, Harmony Dennemann, Bralynn Gallegos, Tatem E.T. Larson, Gwendolyn Patton, Layla Prestenbach, Katelyn Russell, Anna Simpson, Hailey Sothen, Amber Willis, Braeden Green, Luke Garlen, Adrianne Montgomery and Katance McQueen.

In the past three years, the archery program has earned five regional titles, one runner-up performance in the region, four state championships and two runner-up titles at the state.

“My archers work just as hard as any other sport,” said Ferguson. “They practice long hours and put in literal blood, sweat and tears.”

And they will be hanging their second KHSAA banner in the gym.