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If you showed up last Saturday to walk the indoor track at the Wildcat Community Center in Lindstrom, maybe you would have been surprised to come across hundreds of youth with bows and arrows inside the space.  

The Chisago Lakes fitness facility hosted a massive archery tournament January 25, with approximately 400 students in attendance.  Chisago Lakes Community Education spokesperson Stephanie Groff said Chisago has 25 members on its archery team, run through the community education program, and another 26 or so who shoot but don’t compete in tournaments.

The National Archery in Schools Program or NASP event in the Community Center included archers in grades 4 through 12.  

Students use the NASP-approved Easton 1820 aluminum Genesis arrows and compound bows. They are coached here by Chris Marks, who is transitioning and will see more coach duties taken over by Nick Martin.  

Groff also mentioned the elevated walking track was closed for the public’s safety.  The targets were setup on the east wall and even though it was a very remote concept-- nobody wanted to see injuries from stray arrows.

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