USU Eastern Welcomes Over 400 Archers for State 3D Archery Tournament

At the end of March, the Bunnell-Dmitrich Athletic Center at Utah State University Eastern replaced its usual gym setup and transformed into a 3D archery arena, complete with animal targets and designated shooting stations.

USU Eastern hosted the 2026 Utah NASP State 3D Tournament, welcoming more than 400 student archers, more than double last year’s participation. Archers from 13 schools, from elementary through high school, traveled from both inside and outside of Carbon County to compete.

The increase in participation at this year’s tournament reflects the growing popularity of archery among school-aged students, said RaLynne Takeda, Hunter Education program manager at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

“This growth shows that students are seeing the benefits of archery in their lives as a safe, fun way to build lifelong friendships,” Takeda said. “Archery is an inclusive sport. It teaches focus, which we have seen translate into other areas of the students’ lives.”

USU Eastern sees the tournament as part of its broader efforts to engage with youth and the community, according to Jess Brinkerhoff, director of athletics at USU Eastern.

“Hosting events like this also reflects our commitment to supporting opportunities for youth participation, competition and development,” Brinkerhoff said. “We are proud to have USU Eastern be a place where these opportunities can happen.”

After the university completed its first collegiate archery season, hosting the tournament seemed a natural fit for its growing archery program.

“The impact is significant, as few other events draw such large crowds to the Eastern campus,” said Brad Watson, director of community and campus engagement.

Beyond competition, the tournament showcased the campus and surrounding region, giving participants and their families a chance to explore the university and the local community.

The success of the tournament relied on the strong collaboration between USU Eastern and the Department of Natural Resources.

“It’s been a pleasure working with partners from both DNR and Eastern Athletics, whose support and coordination are essential,” Watson said. “Without this strong partnership, the 3D tournament would not be possible.”