Socorro 4-H Archery Club heads to nationals victory

The Socorro County 4-H Archery Club is setting its sights on a national title after an impressive showing at the state championships, where their compound bow team took first place and, for the first time ever, their recurve team earned second.

Coach Joe Lopez, who helps lead the rapidly growing program, said the state victory earns their top shooters a place at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska, from June 22–27. The team started with six kids and over the last four years has grown to 42 shooters.

The four archers heading to Nationals are all high school juniors and part of the club’s senior division. Among them is Juan Fernandez, this year’s state champion in compound archery. He follows in the footsteps of previous Socorro standouts, including Lopez’s son, Matthew, who won the state title three years ago.

“We’ve got three back-to-back state champions. My son, Matthew, won it three years ago. Juan Fernandez has been the high point the past two years. So, yeah, we got two state champions in the bullpen,” Lopez said.

Lopez credits the program’s success to a focus on proper fundamentals and life lessons. “Archery is a lifelong skill. It teaches patience, perseverance, and how to work under pressure,” he said. “We also really emphasize mentorship—our older kids help train and support the younger ones.”

But getting to Nationals isn’t cheap. The team is currently raising $8,000 to cover travel costs. “If we raise more than that, it’ll go right back into the programs, like the pistol discipline,” Lopez said, noting that he personally purchased the pistols for the current program. They are also looking for 20 3D archery targets.

To help raise funds, the club is raffling off a Barbary sheep hunt. Tickets are $20 and available through the Socorro County Cooperative Extension Office or directly from any of the coaches. The drawing will be held around mid- to late June.

Support from the community has already started to pour in. “The response this past week has been amazing—not just from Socorro but from places like Belen and around the state,” Lopez said.

For those who wish to contribute, monetary donations—tax-deductible—can also be made through the Extension Office. Donors can also reach out via the club’s Facebook page: NMSU Socorro County Cooperative Extension and 4-H Youth Development.

Lopez also mentioned a community enchilada dinner fundraiser is in the works, with details to be shared soon on Facebook.

For families interested in joining the 4-H Archery Club, enrollment typically begins in January through the 4-H program. In addition to archery, local youth can choose from other disciplines, including shotgun, pistol, and rifle.