Starting off 2017 with state! Last weekend, on the 14th, I participated in the 2017 Ohio JOAD Indoor Championships. I walked into state feeling confident. About 2 months ago, I got a new bow and I haven't shot enough to get 100% used to it yet. Anyway, I walked in feeling confident with the new set-up. There were only 4 other girls in my division, yet I still placed 2nd. This year, I will be turning 13 so now i'm a cub! I am the youngest in my division. All of the other girls have been cubs for 1-2 years. I am happy with how I shot with the new bow and being the youngest. The girl in 1st place was only 2 points ahead of me. Throughout the competition, our scores were going back and forth. She would be one point higher, then we would be  tied, then I would be one point higher, and so on. After the competition was over, our JOAD leader, Fred, entered our clubs highest scores into teams. I was put on the ladies compound team. Adam's Conservation Club swooped in to take first place! We were so excited!

After receiving the medals, Chris from ACE Archers had a special announcement. He announced the Shooters of the Year from 2016- when I was still a bowman. When he announced women's compound, guess who he called? Me! I was very excited and proud of myself for improving over the years. I walked up to receive my award and my dad took a picture. Thanks dad!

Now that I am home, I see that you cant see what the shirt says. I took a close up of the shirt with my lucky arrow necklace that my mom's friend Kate gave to me!

After receiving the shirt, Chris called everyone over who received a shirt to take a "team" picture.

Finally, after all of the pictures, we took more pictures. This time, it was with my team. My family at Adams Conservation Club. There were a total of 20 of us that attended the tournament.

Overall, state was a success for me! I can't wait for future tournaments and in the meantime, practice, practice, practice! 

#flashbackfriday to when I shot my very first tournament!

2016 Ohio State JOAD Outdoor

I just participated in the 2016 Ohio State JOAD Outdoor Championships June 18th & 19th. I went into the tournament excited to shoot, but also a little nervous because I didn't know who I was up against. My two major goals for this tournament were the following...

1. Keep the majority of my arrows in the yellow. 
2. I wanted to earn my silver JOAD pin.

The first day was very windy but I shot very well considering the wind. I didn't keep all of them in the red, only 5 were outside of the yellow. I was able to achieve my second goal and earn my silver JOAD pin with a score of 351/360!

The wind affected my first goal because it causes you to make adjustments to your bow. You have to move your sight left and right according to where the arrows are hitting on the target. Sometimes when you draw back your bow, there is a big gust of wind that comes in and causes you to swing back and forth until you can get stable again. While this is happening, sometimes your arms start to get tired and shake, which means you should draw your bow down. Keeping in mind you only have four minutes to shoot six arrows, you might run out of time, causing the arrows you were not able to shoot to be a score of zero.

I feel that I achieved my goals. I had a lot of fun with my friends at the tournament. My friends, Sophie and Trey, shot in a team event with me and we got first place at 30 meters.

When I was walking into the tournament, I was a little nervous because I didn't know who I was up against. I handled being nervous by making it a competition with my goals rather than with the other girls in my division. It took some of the weight off of my shoulders knowing that I just wanted to compete with myself.

My new goals for between now and nationals in Decatur, Alabama (July 13th- July 17th) are...

1. Earning my gold JOAD pin. (350/360)
2. Practicing a minimum of five days per week.
3. Practice in all different kinds of weather, because last year it rained a lot at nationals and caused the field to be all muddy.

I'm very excited for nationals and can't wait to practice for it. I think that state was very good practice in the wind. I will be posting small updates of practice between now and nationals. Thank you!

End of Outdoor Season 2015

It's coming to the end of outdoor season 2015 and I have a state shoot on the 12th & 13th. I feel pretty good about this season, I got to make some new friends, and have fun with friends and family at the tournaments. Pretty much all my tournaments this year I placed 2nd and 3rd. At Outdoor Nationals (hosted in Decatur, AL) I got 5th place over all and got 2nd in Team Rounds. My 2 team members and I were tied with the other team for the gold medal and we had to have an 1 arrow shoot off. Our team got nervous but we threw some good arrows, but not as good a the other team; they won.

Things I am happy about this outdoor season is....

• I made new friends that have the same interests as I do. (Archery)
• My score this year for Outdoor Nationals would have won last years Outdoor Nationals. (100+)
• I am more focused on archery and have set goals for the future.
• I have tons of people to help and support my archery commitment.
• I have shot my highest score EVER this year in the outdoor season.

Things I am not happy about this outdoor season is....

• I took over a 1 week break after outdoor nations and messed up my form and shot sequence.
• I have been slacking on my daily arrows that I need to shoot.
• I have made words to help me remember how my shot sequence works and I always forget what the words are.

Over-all I think this outdoor season has been my best season and I hope to improve my shots and scores and reach some of my goals for indoor season. (Still to make) I hope everyone will follow me through my journey through indoor season!