In the past 10 years, so much has made a comeback; bell bottom jeans, Polaroids, and the Jonas Brothers have worked their way back into our hearts. Archery, in the past 10 years, has become a popular sport in high schools and colleges around the midwest, especially in Missouri. The sport teaches athletes about focus and determination while improving quick math skills. In the small town of Sarcoxie, archery is one of their most popular and fastest growing sports to play.

Meet Ally Nordell

Ally Nordell, a freshman at Sarcoxie High School, first took up archery as a bet way back in the fifth grade. She and a friend decided to compete against each other to see who was the better archer. Unfortunately, Ally lost and didn’t make Sarcoxie’s archery team but she was not deterred. The same competition took place the next year and to her surprise, she made the team. Little did she know what would be in store for her archery career. Ally has competed in different states around the country and even in Canada. Her awards won have been taller than she is!

Ally has been awarded the top overall ranking in a national and international competition. Her latest and greatest accomplishment was shooting to become the top-ranked overall female at the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASPs) All-Star Championship held in Calgary, Canada. With four other countries in attendance, Ally shot a 298 with a perfect score being a 300. After winning, Ally came back home to a proud town and high school, full of supports who were excited to share her incredible accomplishment with her.

Feeling underwhelming yet? Just wait. Ally has had success in other fields as well. The 15-year-old has had two books published in the last two years. “Bared” and “Feared” are books one and two of a three-part series, a gripping tale of a young “Lupa” (she-wolf) out to find the truth about her father’s murder and mother’s disappearance. Ally explained that her goal after graduating high school would be to go to college and receive a degree in creative writing and architecture.

Ally’s hard work and creative mind will allow her to go anywhere her heart desires. We know where ever she aims, she’s sure to hit the bullseye.