Christiana Elementary student Cole Duggin, 11, aims his bow and focuses only on the target when competing in state, national and world archery tournaments.

“I zone it all out,” Cole explains.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s School Resource Officer Scott Reed, who coaches the Christiana Elementary School team, said Cole’s concentration allowed him to place fifth in the fourth grade boys’ division at the world tournament Saturday in St. Louis , Mo. , and eighth in the nation during the national tournament in May in Louisville , Ky.

He and fellow Christiana Elementary School students captured first place in the state April 5 at Miller Coliseum. Several students placed in the Top 100 at the national competition. Seventeen Christiana students and Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School students also competed in the world championship.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” Cole said after reflecting on his performance in the world competition. “I had a goal to get into the Top 5 so I just kept that in my head.”

Reed said Cole missed being in the Top 5 by one point in the national competition.

“It’s unbelievable on the amount of commitment these children have,” SRO Reed said.

SRO Mark McWhirter started the archery program at Siegel Middle School about three years ago. SRO Capt. Barry Hendrixson helped secure equipment and funds for SROs to coach archery at both the middle school and elementary school levels, which led to county archery tournaments. Certified coaches include SROs Sgt. Bobby Weeks and Sgt. Bill West at Brown’s Chapel Elementary, SRO Greg King at Rockvale Elementary, SRO George Brown at Siegel Middle and SRO Matt Goney at La Vergne Lake Elementary.

Parents, teachers and Parent Teachers Organizations coach and support the sport. A Whitworth-Buchanan teacher/parent coaches the team. They won first place in the state in their grade division and advance to the national competition.

Rutherford County students dominated at the state level and the national level for the past several years with many students placing in the top 10 for their grade divisions.

About 75 students from several Rutherford County Schools competed in the recent national tournament, including Rockvale, Buchanan and Christiana Elementary schools and Siegel Middle and High School. Three students competed in the world tournament last year with two ranked in the Top 10.

Of the 17 who competed in the world tournament, several placed in the Top 100.

“That means a lot for their accomplishments to do a program all year long,” SRO Reed said, explaining the program runs from September to June with students practicing about one day a week.

“You could not tailor fit a program to accommodate all students than this archery program,” SRO Reed said. “All students regardless of athletic ability or gender compete equally. The parents love the program.”

Maria Duggin, Cole’s mother, said her son always liked the sport of archery. He bought his own bow and practiced at home.

“He dedicated himself to the archery program,” Maria Duggin said. “He put his heart and soul into it.”

SRO Reed said anybody can compete in archery, not matter what the athletic abilities.

“The kids really love this program and the parents love it,” SRO Reed said. “It’s just a great program. Basically, it’s just about being able to work with the children.”

Cole focuses now on next year, hoping for a repeat chance at the world competition.

“Next year I want to win,” Cole said.