Price is a small, remote town in central Utah known for its mining history and nearby scenic vistas. But now it has a new tagline: home of the national champions! Mont Harmon Middle School recently finished first out of 42 teams at the 2023 National Archery in the Schools Program World Open Championships, Middle School Division.
The 24-member squad of Carbon County students topped the 42-team field at the competition in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Physical education teacher Ted Lasslo introduced his students to archery several years ago as a new way explore PE. And the dividends have been big. The team took first place in every state tournament since 2016 and broke through nationally this year.
“I just like watching them get excited when they’re successful,” Lasslo told ksl.com prior to the national competition. “You’re kind of watching them when they come in, a lot of the kids aren’t confident. … They start to get the hang of things and you watch them kind of lighten up, and then when they realize that they can do it. Then it’s watching them progress from kind of a low-level shooter or student, or whatever it is, to becoming more advanced. And then by the time they’re in eighth grade, they’re usually a leader.”
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supplied three years of grant funding to help the program.
(Photo credit: Submitted/National Archery in the Schools Program)