Madison Evans, March – Archery brings together people from all walks of life. During my time on the team, I have shared experiences with my teammates that have created a close-knit community that feels almost like family. Here are three of my favorite team bonding memories.
Support and Encouragement
Teammates, coaches, and even competitors often treat each other like family, offering care and support. Recently, at an archery tournament, one of my teammates was in the middle of her flight when she started feeling unwell. After three ends, she told our coach she needed a break to get some water and sit down. Meanwhile, the tournament continued. By the time she felt better, the other archers had finished shooting.
With permission from the line judge, she was allowed to finish her end. But standing alone on the line at a tournament can be nerve-wracking. With about 400 eyes on her, she told a coach she was nervous. Together, they decided to have a teammate stand beside her for support. In a heartwarming moment, one of our teammates stood by her side, silently cheering her on with each arrow she shot.
To me, this moment perfectly represents the family-like atmosphere archery creates. No matter how down you are, the people around you lift you up.
Shared Traditions and Experiences
From pre-game rituals to post-game celebrations, archers always seem to share special traditions that connect them. Recently, in Minnesota, schools were closed for a reason that only my fellow northerners can truly appreciate—it was too cold.
But something amazing happened. Without any pre-planning, several stir-crazy archers, tired of being cooped up inside, braved the cold and headed to the local archery range. As each one walked in, their faces lit up with big smiles as they saw their fellow archers there.
Some may say, “Great minds think alike,” but I believe it shows just how connected we are, even when we’re apart. And who knows? Perhaps, without even realizing it, we started a new tradition.
Lifelong Connections
A few weeks ago, our team attended our first tournament that required an overnight stay. As you can imagine, this has become one of our favorite archery rituals because the friendships built at these events last a lifetime.
After the tournament, we spent hours playing in the hotel pool—having water fights, cannonball competitions, and pretending we were lost at sea. Then, we raced up to our rooms, quickly changing out of our wet bathing suits so we could continue spending time together in the hotel lobby.
In the lobby, we talked about archery, celebrated our victories, and supported each other through our losses. But perhaps more importantly, we shared stories about our personal lives. That night, we truly bonded as teammates.
Being part of the archery community is something I deeply cherish. Fifty years from now, when I am 62 years old, I hope to still be on the line, sharing my wisdom with young archers.
