Beat By a Girl @ Jarred Ashmore Youth Bowfishing Tournament

The 9th annual Jarred Ashmore Youth Bowfishing Tournament recently held in Eddyville, KY was another great success as kids from across the eastern U.S. gathered for a special night of fun on the water. This was not just another bowfishing tournament. And honestly, this year was not just another year for the Jarred Ashmore memorial event. It was special in that one young lady put a whippin’ on the boys that they still haven’t gotten over...and she was able to do it all in honor and memory of her uncle – Jarred Ashmore.

This year, I had the opportunity to jump back on the boat with my little boy, Aidan, Matt Rudesill and Daniel Epley of Aerial Assault Bowfishing, and fourteen-year-old, Madelyn Hackney. I was there to shoot photos and keep my boy out of the drink. Madelyn came to clean house, kick tail, and put on a bowfishing lesson for the boys in the few hours she had before the 1:00am weigh-in.
And that she did. 
Close shots, long shots, whatever, I was really impressed with how this young lady did work with her Oneida bow. It was really fun to watch. 

We pushed it as long as we could to take advantage of the fish that were finally showing up after midnight, but finally had to leave and make a mad run back to the event site for weigh-ins.

Madelyn wasted no time in doing work with her Oneida Osprey and Muzzy reel. She left little room for doubt as to whether she could handle herself bowfishing against the boys. 

When the final fish had been weighed, Madelyn stepped to the front of a room filled with children, parents, friends, and family to claim the prize she had been after for the last 9 years. She smiled, laughed, and cried as her dad squeezed her tight and congratulated her on the win that mean’t more to her than any tournament she could win all year.

Hats off to Andy Cardwell and the team of volunteers and sponsors that make this event possible. The world of bowfishing needs more events like the Jarred Ashmore Youth Bowfishing Tournament where the goal is simply to give to the kids and share the passion for a sport like no other.