Hartland High School Archer Wins World Title at NASP Tournament in Florida

It still hasn't sunk in — Hartland High School sophomore Emily Bee is a world champion archer.

"When my name was called, I couldn't believe it," said Emily, who finished as the first female overall in the National Archery in the Schools Program World Tournament at Disney World in Orlando, FL, that ended Oct. 8. "I'm still in shock that I'm first in the world."

Emily was unsure her 292 score out of 300 would hold as she completed her shooting early and had to wait to find out if her score would hold up.

It did.

"My heart was racing the whole time," said the 15-year-old who won more than $4,000 in scholarships, two new bows and a target among other honors.

The day was special for her younger brother Chris, too, who a year after narrowly missing the podium he won second in his grade and 10th overall, capturing a bow case as part of his high finish.

"That was great," said Chris, a freshman. "It's even better with my sister. … I feel really happy for her."

Hartland head coach Rob Jellison said what set the Bees apart was their ability to perform under pressure.

"It's a lot like golf," he said. "It's a very mental sport. They are just very good at both (physical and mental) aspects. Thats what put them on the podium."

Eagles soar to fourth

Hartland also did well as a team, finishing fourth overall — 15 points from first. An impressive feat, according to Jellison, because while it was the high school division, it had elementary and middle school archers on the team when Hartland didn't have enough shooters to field full teams in those divisions.

"It is impressive to see how close we were and we had fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders on our team," Jellison said. "The teams that did beat us were made up of only high school archers."

Leading the Eagles in addition to the Bees, were and Betty Jellison, who captured top 5s in their age divisions. Overall, there were 1,071 archers from 28 states and four countries on 48 teams from 111 schools.

Emily's win adds to Hartland's large list of accolades for its archery team that also includes seven state championships, two top 5 finishes at worlds, one national champion and one world record since the program started in 2007.

"It was a great event for everyone," coach Jellison said.

A family affair

For the Bees, mom and dad were there, too, and proud to watch what's been a family activity for years.

While it's only the second year on Hartland's team, Chris Bee started shooting when he was 6 and it wasn't long until Emily, who was about a year older, wanted to join in, spending practice time at the Livingston County Sports Association in Brighton Township. They were following their dad, also named Chris Bee, who began archery to hunt in his 20s.

"Emily got tired of watching and the next year she started, too," said the elder Chris Bee.

Since then, the two have exceled in the sport, qualifying for Junior Olympic Archery Development teams and traveling across the country to compete and hunting deer. (Both Bee children shot their first deer when they were about 10).

It has been a challenging transition to shooting for Hartland, though, because different bows and distances are used. They credit Jellison.

"He has helped us a bunch," the elder Chris Bee said. "NASP goes back to the fundamentals."

Their mom, Jennifer Bee, said the sport has taught her children patience and discipline.

"It's been great for our family," Bee said. "It makes an all-around person. It's a sport for everyone."

The two also enjoy competing against each other to improve, including shooting targets at their Oceola Township home.

"We always go back and forth," the younger Chris Bee said. "We do tournaments in the yard."

Results

Other archers scores included: