Bristol Wooten
Photo courtesy of Michele Wooten
Bristol is homeschooled and does Archery.
How did you first get involved in archery, and what made you want to stick with it?
My parents both shot 3D archery before I was born, and when I was about 4, my dad bought me my first bow, a tiny pink Mathews Genesis! Around age 10, I got my first Mathews compound bow and then really got into archery. I quickly started shooting 3D tournaments and realized I had a pretty big passion for it! That was the start of my competitive archery.
What do you enjoy most about competing in archery compared to other sports or activities?
Over the years, I have participated in Cross Country, Track and Volleyball. I love that archery brings a whole different level of mental challenges, strength, and determination compared to the other sports I took part in. Don’t get me wrong, running definitely is a hard mental and physical sport as well, but for me, I enjoy the challenge and difficulty of archery the most!
What does a typical practice look like for you, and how much work goes into preparing for a competition?
Archery is a year-round sport for me. Competitions and tournaments have different seasons, but I really try to shoot every day. Weather can play a factor in Florida, of course. Depending on which season we are in will determine what I shoot. During 3D season, I am outdoors shooting 3D animal targets daily while also shooting paper targets indoors as much as I can. I have to dedicate a lot of time to building up physical strength, practicing different distance shooting strategies while also just working to learn the targets and getting my process as clean as possible.
What has been your biggest accomplishment or favorite memory from archery so far?
My biggest accomplishment so far would probably be winning my local club’s indoor tournament! During this tournament, all different age categories shot against each other in one big group, with the highest score taking the win. I was 14 years old at the time, and I ended up winning the whole tournament! A perfect score being a 250, I shot a 286, shooting 36 up with shooting bonus rings! I would have to say taking first place overall at a shoot like that was my favorite memory so far! I got to shoot this one with so many of my local archery friends, plus it is where I won my favorite belt buckle to date!
Is there a particular part of your game that you’ve been working to improve this season?
Mostly, I’ve always shot 3D archery, but this year I plan to put more focus on indoor and other types of shooting! 3D will definitely always be my favorite, but I have slowly acquired a love for indoor as well! Both types of archery bring different challenges and mental blocks you have to overcome. So, this year I would love to work on my indoor game.
What are your goals for the rest of this season, and what would you like to accomplish in archery moving forward?
Since 3D tournament season is over until January, I am going to put in the work this off season and try to perfect my 3D game as much as possible while learning more about indoor target shooting. My goal is to come into the 2027 3D ASA tournament season a whole different shooter! Sometimes it can be hard to keep up the determination during the off season, but this year I’m going to overcome the laziness that the offseason can bring. Ha!
What advice would you give someone wanting to get into archery?
Just go for it! I think for some people archery seems like such a boring sport, but don’t let that fool you!! I’ve unlocked a different version of myself from shooting archery, and I couldn’t imagine my life without it! I have met most of my favorite people through archery! I have built my best friendships and relationships with kids my age to adults all over the country through this sport. My archery people are truly so amazing! The support I have had over these years is priceless. We call each other our “archery family,” and I could not imagine my life without them. Archery will teach you so much, not just about the sport, but mostly about you. I’ve learned so much about myself I don’t think I would’ve ever known so early, if it wasn’t for archery. If anyone is questioning getting into it, just do it!!!!
When your not doing archery, what are you doing in your free time?
When I’m not shooting my bow, I’m typically traveling up to our house in Georgia, where I love hunting everything from deer to turkeys and anything in between. I also love riding the side-by-side, 4-wheelers, shooting guns, and just being in Georgia. At home, I love working out, playing my guitar, shopping, and spending time with family and friends any chance I get. Outside of archery, I l have to say I love shooting guns! Anything from just shooting them to shooting skeet and obviously hunting! I usually hunt deer, turkeys, and dove. That is all I’ve tried so far, but I can’t wait to try more! I have a lot of big life goals for myself that involve hunting!! This year I will get to travel to Ohio to try for a deer with my bow, which I’m so excited about. Honestly, it is hard to find a free spot in my mind when I’m not thinking something about archery!!
