Sophomore Kooper Williams aims high, showing how he uses archery to motivate his life. Archery sets him up to have a clear mind to grow as a student, athlete, and as a hunter. Even while archery is not a school affiliated sport, Williams is proud to represent his school no matter where his competition takes him. 

Williams’ father has been a major inspiration to his archery career. From what started as a plain hobby developed into a burning passion over time– having seen his dad and sister develop their archery careers, they’ve unknowingly given Williams a love he’ll never give up on. “My dad just wanted to improve his skills, my sister and I just followed along,” says Williams. 

Another influence to Williams’ archery career is his interest in hunting. He even turns his hunt into homemade jerky,  which has made him popular among his peers.“It’s one of the best I’ve ever had,” said Sophomore Johnathan Mason.

Archery gives Williams friendships, benefits his mental health, and connects him to the wild. Especially due to archery not being as widely known to Williams’ peers as football, Williams finds a closer connection to his friends who share his interest. Archery is an individual sport that requires a clear mind and self confidence. Williams doesn’t struggle, though, because he is in his “own world as you shoot, there’s nothing else there.”

Williams’ success didn’t come easy. It took years of mastering techniques and mentally training himself to overcome his challenges. “I know how to shoot, but sometimes I just need to just shut off my brain to shoot properly,” said Williams. Major challenges for Williams were accessible and recognized. With the closest club being 45 minutes into Wisconsin, Williams sometimes found distance to be a challenge. “You have got to travel far, and nobody knows what you’re talking about when you go to school.” Williams vocalizes how it’s a struggle to work hard and excel in archery but never have it be recognized and understood by his peers. However, this doesn’t put a dent in Williams progress as an archer, as he still plans to continue his career in college. He wants to grow both as an archer and as a person. “I don’t know where I’ll be, or where I’ll go. I just hope to be better.”