OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, on Thursday recognized champion archer Jake Cauthen from Cameron Public Schools, in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Cauthen won the 2022 3D Archery World Championship at the National Archery in Schools Program World Open Championship in Louisville, KY, when he was an eighth grader.
West read a citation prepared for Cauthen on the House floor, noting that he finished first among 241 middle school boys in a tight competition when every shot counted. Cauthen has been a part of the archery program since fifth grade and is counted as a leader who is willing to help and encourage his teammates because of his dedication to the team as a whole.
“Jake’s commitment to personal excellence as an archer resulted in his achievement and has made his school, community and state proud,” West said.
West’s citation also noted that archery is a sport that requires skill and concentration. West said when he attended school there was only football and basketball, but he’s glad to see even small districts like Cameron expand to include other sports.
“Because of the forward thinking of the teachers and administrators, Cameron Schools started an archery team, and it has gotten to be a really big deal,” West said.
Of the 310 students in grades kindergarten through 12, 72 of them are in the archery program, he said.
Also recognized with Jake were his father Dale and brother Brody, his archery coach Hank Austin, School Principal Ken Whitehead and Special Education Director Nancy Whitehead as well as Athletic Director Russ McDonald.
West also shared a bit of history about the Cameron School District, which five years ago was devastated by fire. There were issues with insurance and other challenges, but because of the efforts of the school board and superintendent, the school was rebuilt. This weekend, the new school building and gymnasium will be dedicated.
“Cameron may be a small community, but it is one that had good leadership, good school board members and a good superintendent, and they made the decision to build back,” West said.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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