The varsity archery team from Alpine Academy is just a few weeks away from heading to nationals in Salt Lake City, and after talking to the students on the team, they told us that any nerves are being overridden by their excitement.
Their first goal was just making it to state, and after accomplishing that, nationals is their next big stage.
Many teammates told us one of the most important things they've learned through archery is the power of the mind.
They say that mental discipline is the main thing they need to focus on when being in high-pressure environments, and after placing second in state, out of more than 30 other teams, now more than ever, they're reminded to stay relaxed during competition.
Ella Danley who is a sophomore and an archery teammate said, "I'm going to tough it out because I think, all the people watching, the silence of nationals is going to be hard, but I think I'll just try to, remember, like I'll shoot how I practice, with my mental steps and, just trying to imagine I'm here, in my comfort zone."
Many of the teammates said that after placing at state, making it to nationals actually feels less nerve-wracking.
They told us they feel confident in the amount of training they've done and look at this opportunity as another chance to have fun again all together, and for one senior on the team, it feels like a dream.
Gabriela Trujillo, who is the only senior on the archery team, told us, "We've participated in state championships all four years that I've been in high school, but this is the first time I've personally ever been to nationals, so I think that even getting to state is tough, but the fact that we're going to nationals, especially my senior year, is just like a dream come true. It feels surreal."
The team's coach says they are close to reaching their fundraising goal, which she says takes off a lot of stress from the families of the students who want to go.
Coach Lea Allen said, “My hope was that the whole entire team could go. Regardless of that, we don't want something like money to hold anybody back, or at least I don't. So if we didn't have the support of community, friends, family, and our amazing community, I don't know that we would have this opportunity."
If you want to donate to help the team, you can find the link on our website in our Newslinks tab. Be sure to leave a note saying the donation is for the varsity archery team.
We wish the students attending nationals all the luck.
