Taking aim: Fritsch P.E. class opens students' eyes to unique sport

Forget kickball and four square, there's a new sport being introduced in P.E. class at Fritsch Elementary School.

"It's exciting just getting the experience to be able to fire the bow," said fifth-grader Dawson Lamb, 10. "You actually get to shoot at something."

After receiving outdoor wilderness training, physical education teacher Laura Valley is teaching a national archery unit to her fourth- and fifth-graders.

The program is sponsored by grants from Safari Club International and Bighorns Unlimited.

"It's not all about hunting," Valley explained. "It's about a sport that's been around hundreds of years. It's an Olympic sport."

For Meghan Olsen, 10, it was not her first introduction to the sport.

"I get to do it at home a little bit because my dad has a bow," she said. "But it's really fun to do it here because you get to do it with my friends."

Johnathan McKee, 10, feels equally prepared.

"I've been training on the Wii so I basically know everything about archery," he said.

Valley teaches safety procedures and demonstrates proper technique before letting the students shoot at the targets set up across the gym.

When it's not their turn to shoot, students are encouraged to do push-ups and sit-ups to strengthen the archer muscles.

Sydney Kleine, 10, is grateful for the experience.

"I've actually never got an opportunity like this," she said. "A lot of kids maybe want to do archery but they never get a chance to."

Valley said students' enthusiasm for the sport has been apparent.

"They're ready for class," she said. "They're excited. They're on their best behavior."