Special to Pelahatchie News
Pelahatchie High School’s archery program has soared to new heights under the dedicated leadership of Coach Luke Cotnam. Now in his seventh year, Coach Cotnam has witnessed a remarkable transformation, growing the program from a modest 14 student-athletes to an impressive 52 participants in the current season. This growth is a testament not only to the success of the team but also to the culture of acceptance, mentorship, and teamwork that defines Pelahatchie’s archery program.
A key factor in this success has been the team’s emphasis on peer-to-peer coaching, a philosophy that fosters skill development and camaraderie among its members. This was especially evident at the season’s first match, held at Pisgah High School. Throughout the event, high school archers could be seen mentoring their junior high teammates and providing encouragement and guidance after each flight.
For instance, Cooper Conn, an 11th grader, was frequently seen coaching Dawson Edwards, an 8th grader, helping him refine his shooting technique and better understand scoring calculations. Likewise, Mary Taylor Nutt, in 10th grade, took Makayla Lee, a 7th grader, under her wing, offering praise and support in her very first competitive match. Meanwhile, 8th grader Gabe Becker was seen celebrating and encouraging Hunter Sanders, a 7th grader, highlighting the spirit of unity and encouragement that fuels the team’s progress.
The growing program reached a milestone moment on March 17th when Pelahatchie High School hosted its first-ever home archery match. On this special night, the team, led by standout archers Kaden Alvarez and Isabel Brown, secured a significant victory over Pisgah. Adding to the excitement, Coach Cotnam and the Pelahatchie community honored their seniors, recognizing their contributions and celebrating their bright futures.
Pelahatchie’s archery program is not just about competition—it is about developing discipline, focus, and precision in student-athletes. The program’s success is already yielding tangible results, as evidenced by last year’s graduating class, where two archers earned scholarships following Pelahatchie’s South State Championship victory and an impressive third-place finish at the state level.
Coach Cotnam’s leadership, combined with the dedication of his athletes, has created a thriving program that continues to elevate Pelahatchie High School’s reputation in the world of archery. With each arrow shot and each lesson learned, the future of Pelahatchie archery looks brighter than ever. We are Pelahatchie, and we are proud.
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