1 arrow at a time: Fort Atkinson archery team aims high at Worlds

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- One arrow at a time. That's what they teach in the Fort Atkinson archery program.

"When I first started, I hit the bottom of the target always," says fourth grader Tenley Stewart. "Now, I can hit bullseyes."

With an eye on the target of constant improvement, Tenley has definitely hit the bullseye. Competing against 650 fourth graders at nationals, she finished first. Many more of her teammates qualified for Worlds in Daytona Beach with her.

"I've spent lots of days and practices to just keep getting better," Stewart adds.

Fifth grade teammate Ryann Pierce is excited for the increased competition this week. "It's like the whole world, so it's definitely going to be different, but it'll be fun."

Competing at Worlds has something for everyone. Like sixth grader Lindsey Van Treeck, who will be going on a plane for the first time.

"I'm really excited. Going to Florida, the beach, shooting."

Or a reward for the program hitting the mark. Coach Jeff Jensen says, "the kids have been working really hard at practice. For us nationals, that's the pinnacle. But we did so well this year, the team raised the bar."

Growth is key to the Fort Atkinson program's success. Both as a team with more than 100 archers on the roster and for the individuals, like Ryann Pierce, who used archery to break out of her shier shell.

"When I first started, I thought it would be scary and that I would hurt myself. But just getting comfortable with the feeling of shooting has made me feel a lot better," said Pierce. 

"This is a wonderful experience watching the team grow and we've been practicing really hard, and they are ready for Worlds," said Coach Jensen. 

The team is already in Florida, aiming to reach new heights, one arrow, at a time.