WAVERLY, NY (607NewsNow) – A Tioga County youngster is the best in the state among his peers.

On March 14, Waverly’s Easton Beach took 1st place in the boys’ elementary school division of the 15th annual New York National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state finals. Beach was one of 558 competing students from 39 schools hosted by the DEC on Friday at the State Fairgrounds.

“We’re thrilled to see more and more schools participating in this tournament, which is a great opportunity to help students put down their phones and tablets, learn a new skill, and get outside, ” said Acting DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton.

The tournament featured six divisions: high school boys and girls, middle school boys and girls, and elementary boys and girls. The top 10 finishers in each division earned the right to represent New York in the upcoming National NASP Tournament.

Beach and others will head to Louisville, Kentucky, in May.