Aiming Higher

"I first got into archery when I was 8 or 9,” said Grace Bellew, now 13. “My dad got me aCub Scout bow, and it went from there.”

As the eighth-grader progressed with her skills and built her strength, her draw weight — or peak amount of weight an archer will pull while drawing the bow — increased, too. 

“When I started shooting, I got bigger and stronger,” Grace said. “Now I usea Genesis bow. The team uses this, and I started using it when I tried out forthe team.” 

She’s been on Hewitt-Trussville Middle School’s archery team for two years now. 

“I love archery,” Grace said. “It’s fun — almost rewarding. I work so hard at it. I don’t do any other sports, so it’s so good to have something to work at and getgood at.” 

The team competes against surrounding schools with archery programs once per year at the regional tournament. It’s held locally, in the springtime, and this year it was in Pell City. The team usually practices indoors during quad time, which is after second period. 

Archery is a family affair, too. Grace and her mom, Gloria Bellew, practice together with a recurve bow, or a traditional-style bow with only a bow body and one string. 

Grace said that knowledge of the sport leads to success, especially knowing the proper draw weight for her size. 

“The Genesis comes in three sizes,” she said. “We use the original, meaning anyone can use it. You can string it to different bow heights. It’s a compound bow, with three strings, and has a 20-25 pound bow string pull back. You don’t really outgrow the Genesis bow.” 

With most of her friends playing lacrosse or soccer, Grace doesn’t mind the solitary escape of archery. After the regional tournament, if the team hasn’t qualifiedfor the state tournament, they don’t practice as much. But Grace can often be found honing her skills at home in the front or backyard, she said, with two standard targets of her own. 

Although she has no interest in hunting, Grace is no stranger to the thrill of drawing back her bow, taking aim and landing it exactly where it needs to be. She said she loves being committed to archery and the discipline it requires. 

“It’s also so cool hitting a bull’s eye,” she said.

The strongest demand of the sport comes down to aim, she said, but a lot of practice helps with that. Pulling back the bow is also difficult, she said. Grace is right-handed and wears a special glove that covers the three fingers she uses to pull the bow back. 

Archers have the benefit of choosing to practice indoors or outdoors.

“I like indoor and outdoor practice equally, but I do like the extra challenge of outdoor practice with the wind,” she said. 

Grace said the archery team has proven to be a great thing for her.

“Our coaches are really helpful to us,” she said. “They always have new information and advice for us. Coach [Morgan] Griffin helps a lot with aim, and I really like that, too.” 

“Grace is a great leader, bringing experience through her several years of participation on the team,” said Amanda Hayes, physical education teacher and one of the archery coaches. “She has great poise, never getting rattled no matter how much pressure she is under while shooting.”

Grace was vital to the team this spring, Hayes said.  

“Not only is she a great archer, but she is a great student as well,” she said. 

Trussville Parks and Recreation has started a program for kids interested in archery up to the age of 18. For moreinformation, go to trussvilleparks.org/programs/athletics.