Bows up, spirits high, a new season of Archery is right on target
As the upcoming Archery season approaches, members reflect on what caused them to join, how Archery has impacted them, and what they look forward to for this year.
Everyone on Bullitt East’s Archery team has their own story for why they decided to join. Senior team member Emma Johnson was inspired by the well-known book series and “The Hunger Games”. “I know it’s kind of cliche, but when I was in third grade, my cousin, my older cousins, did archery, and my mom had me watch the Hunger Games, and then about two weeks later, she gave me a bow for my birthday, so she knew what she was doing,” Johnson said.
Junior Archery member, Owen Schneider, wanted to join archery after learning about his father’s experience shooting. “Probably my dad got me into archery. He shot as a child in St. Louis, and I don’t know, I just thought it was interesting,” Schneider said.
Some also felt Archery was just the best fit for them. “I was never really the most active kid, and archery was probably like the least physically inclined sport, but then I honestly just started really liking the sport, and I kept playing,” Senior Archery player Caleb Masterson said.
Throughout their time on the team, each member has been impacted by Archery. “It’s honestly changed my life,” Johnson said.
One of the main impacts seen is the connections they have built. Each member can relate to finding people on their team whom they have grown very close to. “Oh, it’s made a very positive impact. I’ve met a lot of great people through Archery. Been really fun getting to shoot with a bunch of people and getting to meet new people,” Masterson said.
These bonds have led to a strong sense of community on the Archery team, allowing for a strong sense of support and a team that can work together in order to succeed in the upcoming season. “You know, I’ve gained a lot of new friends from this. Starting out as a freshman, obviously, you know one or two people, but now, like everybody on the team knows each other. I know everybody, you know, it’s really just a nice community,” Schneider said.
Speaking of the upcoming season, there are several things members are looking forward to. Many are excited for the home tournaments that are coming up and the variety of opportunities they provide. “This season can be really good, especially because it’s my senior year. I’m looking forward to our home tournaments where all the archers pitch in and do different jobs,” Johnson said.
People, especially seniors, also want to take this season as an opportunity to spend one last time with the team. “You know, this is my senior year. I’m really looking forward to, like, shooting with all the people that I’ve been shooting with since freshman year,” Masterson said.
