Members of the DeSoto Parish 4-H Archery Team delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 regional archery competition, earning multiple top finishes, team titles, and several qualifications for the state tournament.

Officials with the program praised the dedication of the young archers and their coaches, noting the team had an outstanding showing representing DeSoto Parish.

National Compound (Senior Division)

Several DeSoto Parish archers placed among the top competitors in the National Compound senior event.

Elijah Smith – 2nd place
Weston Walsh – 3rd place
Ava Feazel – 6th place
Jacob Berry – 8th place
Paige Bradford – 12th place (qualified for state)
Zoe Lenhardt – 13th place (qualified for state)

The National Compound senior team of Smith, Walsh, Feazel, and Berry captured 1st place overall.

Modified FITA (Junior Division, Ages 9–11)

Joanna Inman – 5th place (recurve bare bow)
Grayson Pipes – 5th place (compound open)
Jett Blakley – 6th place (compound limited)

The junior team of Blakley, Maddox Burnett, Tripp Joseph, and Jeffrey Fort finished 2nd, while another team featuring Chandler Holland, Kash Pate, Hayden Walsh, and Roman Hollister placed 4th.

Modified FITA (Junior Division, Ages 12–13)

Elliette Youngblood – 5th (compound open)
Ellie Nichols – 6th (compound open)
Hayden Walsh – 2nd (compound limited)
Roman Hollister – 9th (compound limited)

The team of Walsh, Hollister, Ryan Ward, and Tuff Welch captured 1st place in their division.

Modified FITA (Senior Division)

Gage Cobb – 8th (recurve/bare bow)
Mason Boyett – 13th (qualified for state)
Arianna Hollister – 11th (qualified for state)
Jonathan Cambre – 13th (qualified for state)
3-D Competition (Junior Division, Ages 9–11)
Grayson Pipes – 3rd (compound open)
Tripp Joseph – 8th (compound limited)
Jett Blakley – 12th (qualified for state)

The 3-D junior team of Joseph, Blakley, Burnett, and Pate earned 3rd place, while another DeSoto team finished 6th.

3-D Competition (Junior Division, Ages 12–13)

Ellie Nichols – 5th (compound open)
Elliette Youngblood – 6th (compound open)
Hayden Walsh – 6th (compound limited)
Hayden Wheless – 8th (compound limited)

The team of Walsh, Wheless, Hollister, and Chandler Carter earned 1st place, while another team featuring Ward, Liliann Thomas, Welch, and Skylar Barber placed 3rd.

3-D (Senior Division)

Gage Cobb – 5th (bare bow/Genesis)
Arianna Hollister – 5th (compound limited)
Field Competition (Senior Division)
Addison Barber – 8th (compound open)
Valerie Tlatenchi – 3rd (compound limited)

Program leaders say they are extremely proud of the archers’ performances and dedication. Several team members will now advance to the state competition, continuing to represent DeSoto Parish on a larger stage.