Williamsburg, KY – If you have been around youth 3-D archery long enough, you have no doubt heard her name. Natalie Brockman is only sixteen years old, yet she has accomplished more in her short lifetime than most people ever will. She began her archery career at only four-years old and then started shooting competitively as a Cloverbud in 4-H at seven years old. Fast forward a couple of years and she joined the Green River Archery S3DA club where her dad, Doug, is a coach. This is where Natalie honed her skills into a force to be reckoned with. Eventually, she was topping the podiums at S3DA Tournaments and archery events across the nation.

Youth archers throughout Natalie’s home state (Kentucky) and across the United States see her as a role-model. She never fails to take time out of her busy schedule to talk to S3DA kids or help in any way that she can. At the 2019 S3DA Indoor Nationals event, Natalie spoke to the S3DA families and archers about her journey and what archery means to her. In recognition of her selfless generosity to the youth, who look up to her, she was named an S3DA Ambassador and appointed to the S3DA Conservation Committee where she will be volunteering as a liaison.

In 2018, she began shooting professionally and hasn’t looked back. Though this jump in competition hasn’t been without its trials, she knows that is part of the learning curve. Being competitive by nature, she is willing to put in the time and effort needed to truly succeed. Recently, she participated in a new area when USA Archery had team trials for members to represent Team USA at the World Archery 3-D Championships in Lac La Biche, Canada on September 2-6, 2019. Though she was apprehensive about this new avenue and admits her judging could have been a little more spot on, she was rewarded with a place on the team. The format itself consisted of a full round of 3-D targets shot on two different days with unknown distances. This meant competitors, like Natalie, had to judge the yardage themselves and then manipulate the sight on their bow to hopefully, successfully, shoot the required scoring ring on the target. Obviously, she was near the head of the pack. The Scholastic Archery Association is proud to be part of Natalie’s pathway to Team USA and looks forward to seeing her reach her goals in Lac La Biche!

Started in December 2012 by the Scholastic Archery Association, S3DA has grown exponentially as a next step program to follow introductory programs offered as part of 4-H or the National Archery in Schools Program. S3DA addresses the need for a program to bridge beginning target archery experience and more advanced activities such as 3-D shooting and bowhunting. The program currently operates across the United States with hundreds of certified coaches serving thousands of young archers, grades 3–12. For more information on S3DA membership go to: WWW.S3DA.ORG or email: infos3darchery@gmail.com. Check out S3DA on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram