My name is Cierra Gruis and this year has been my first year participating in archery and belonging to NASP.
I’ve always been interested in shooting a bow because my dad uses one for hunting. I think archery is a great sport because it’s something that helps me spend more time with my dad and I get to travel, meet new people, and learn more about kids that I go to school with.
I’m involved with competitive cheer and horseback riding outside of school. So archery has helped me be more involved at school and make new friends. My coaches are all great and listening and learning from everyone on my team has helped me with focusing and learning different ways to relax. I like how everyone on the Tri Valley team supports and cheers for one another.
When I started archery this year I hoped to qualify for state. This is a new sport for me and I knew I had a lot to learn. I’ve spent a lot of time practicing with my dad and learning from my coaches and I won 3D at state and placed 3rd in Bullseye. I was surprised! I learned that I could do well at new things if I practiced and it has helped me be more confident in everything I participate in.
After going to Salt Lake and winning a new bow at the national tournament I am able to pass down my first bow to my younger sister so that she can start learning to shoot and be ready to join the archery team when she is old enough. Tristan still has another year to wait, but she’s excited to learn.
I’m looking forward to going to the national tournament in Kentucky in June. My family is all going together so it’s going to be a family vacation. I’m nervous, but have been spending a lot of time practicing so I’m able to do the best I can.
I think archery is a great sport that everyone could compete in and have fun. My advice is just to give archery a try, practice, and have fun. I plan to compete in archery for as long as I can. One of my goals for next year is to work hard and be an academic archer and I hope to continue to do well and represent my school.
Cierra is a guest contributor.
