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Mississippi College student-athletes will soon take aim with bows and arrows at a new archery range in Clinton. Starting this fall, MC will share the facility with talented archers at Clinton High and Clinton Christian Academy.
Excitement is building with the facility opening in early September.
“We have synergies between the college and the community around the sport of archery,” says MC administrator Jim Turcotte.
The new range at Traceway Park will elevate partnerships between Mississippi College, Clinton High, CCA and the City of Clinton, he believes.
In addition, a new archery range in the university’s hometown should strengthen a solid Mississippi College team. “The college has consistently placed in the top 10 as a team and for individuals in the U.S. over the past few years,” Turcotte says.
MC archers competed in the national field archery championships in Yankton, South Dakota in May 2017. In October 2019, MC students participated in the USA 3D Nationals.
In February 2020, Mississippi College archers turned in exceptional performances at The Vegas Shoot in Nevada. The MC team is gearing up for the USA Archery Regional 3D on September 26. John McDonald serves as the university’s archery coach.
The sport is growing exponentially. The number of Americans participating in archery stood at 21.6 million people just a few years ago.
Having a premier facility in Clinton will be a plus as MC recruits future archers in Mississippi and across the USA.
Dr. Turcotte serves as MC’s vice president for enrollment services and executive director for alumni affairs. He also oversees the Christian university’s outdoor sports – archery, the equestrian team, bass fishing and clay shooting.
Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher and the city’s Board of Alderman should be commended for realizing the archery range’s potential, Turcotte says. “This is an example of our leaders who look ahead and move our community forward.”
Turcotte will join Mayor Fisher, President Blake Thompson, Adam Wade, director of Clinton Parks and Recreation and students in a September 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony at the archery range.
Earlier this year, Mayor Fisher expressed his appreciation to the individuals teaming to bring the new archery range to Clinton.
Fisher predicts the facility will spark economic benefits as well for the community in Hinds County. “We anticipate that the new range will open new avenues to expand tourism through competitive events on the college, high school and professional level.”
MageeNews.com is an online news service covering Simpson and surround counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
