Emerald High School in Dublin achieved a first this year for California’s scholastic archery programs, qualifying to compete in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Championship in Daytona Beach, Fla. The school’s achievement marks a breakthrough for youth archery in California and highlights the growth and success of the state’s scholastic archery programs.
The 2026 NASP Championship, held June 18-20 at the Ocean Center, brought together top student archers from across the United States and Canada for elite bullseye and 3-D competitions. Emerald High competed exclusively in the bullseye division, advancing after a standout performance at the Western National Tournament in Sandy, Utah, that led to their qualification.
A core part of Emerald High’s success comes from the dedication of their coach, Chris Branson, whose leadership and commitment to youth in archery has grown the school’s program into a nationally recognized team.
“I truly enjoy watching our students work hard, show up every day and strive to improve. This year, my favorite moment has been seeing our upperclassmen support and cheer on the freshmen. That kind of leadership and encouragement says so much about who we are as a team,” said Coach Branson. “This year all their hard work paid off as we reached regionals in Utah and qualified for Nationals in Florida for the first time. All students who went and competed did an outstanding job and can’t wait to go back next year!”
For the students, the experience was both inspiring and unforgettable.
“Going to the NASP Championship for bullseye was definitely the highlight of my year,” said freshman Katelyn Chan. “Being part of the first team from California to get this far was an incredible, trailblazing feat. I realized that the best archers aren’t the strongest, but those with mental resilience, determination and a pure passion for the sport.”
Her teammate and twin sister, Emily Chan, added, “Competing at the NASP Championship was an amazing experience. There were many hours of practice and sore fingers but traveling across the country from California as a part of the first team from Emerald High, and from the state, to qualify for the championship was an honor.”
California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Scholastic Archery Program continues to grow each year, providing students across the state with opportunities to build confidence, focus and teamwork through archery. During the 2025-26 school year, the program reached more than 15,000 students at 127 schools statewide and trained nearly 100 new instructors, expanding access to archery in communities throughout California.
“This milestone reflects what’s possible when dedicated educators, coaches like Coach Branson, and partners invest in young people,” said Jen Benedet, former CDFW Assistant Deputy Director for Communications, Education and Outreach. "Programs like NASP help students develop discipline, confidence and perseverance while creating a lifelong connection to archery. Emerald High’s achievement is something the entire state can celebrate, and it’s also a testament to the outstanding leadership of CDFW’s statewide NASP Coordinator, Grace Vierra, whose passion and commitment have helped California’s program reach more schools and more students than ever before.”
NASP continues to expand college scholarship opportunities for student archers nationwide, recognizing both individual achievement and team excellence. Thousands of scholarship dollars were awarded in 2026, reinforcing the program’s focus on supporting students as they explore their education and archery options beyond high school.
Emerald High School’s accomplishment is a result of the combined dedication of its student athletes and the commitment of Coach Branson, whose guidance has helped build the program to national recognition.
If your school is interested in competing nationally through NASP, the first step is to participate in and start planning for the California State Bullseye Tournament on Feb. 20, 2027. This year’s event will be a hybrid format, allowing schools to compete virtually from their own campus or join the onsite tournament hosted at Emerald High School in Dublin.
Schools are strongly encouraged to attend in person, if possible, as the onsite experience provides valuable preparation for regional and national competitions. To learn how to get involved in NASP or start a program at your school, visit the California National Archery in the Schools Program web page or contact the CDFW NASP Coordinator at Grace.Vierra@wildlife.ca.gov.
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Media Contacts:
Grace Vierra, CalNASP Coordinator, (916) 708-851
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858