13 Year Old Ohio archer competing in Nationals

Move over, Katniss Everdeen – there’s a 13 year old in Cambridge, Ohio who’s competing for a national title in 3D archery. The sport, which is distinct from the traditional form of archery that utilizes stationary targets, instead relies on 3D targets which resemble animals, such as turkeys, bears, and deer, and move mechanically.

Luci Catlett started practicing archery in 4th grade through the National Archery in the Schools Program, but her potential became evident in 5th grade, when her school was closed due to COVID. 

Her family made an archery range in their yard for her to practice. “I had nothing else to do besides shoot archery for hours. It helped the time go by when I wasn’t able to be in school,” Luci explained. 

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Her steadfast dedication these past few years has paid off; this May, she and her team will have the opportunity to be considered some of the best 3D archers in the country.

Luci’s love for archery extends outside of her desire to compete and win. “I like to win, yeah,” she elaborates, “but it’s also just a lot of fun shooting around with my friends. Archery is easy to learn, but it’s hard to master. The tiniest slip up can mess up your shot. It takes a lot of focus. You learn from your mistakes. It’s taught me never to give up.” 

She doesn’t plan on using her master archery skills outside of the shooting range. “Our family is actually all vegetarian,” her father, Lewis Catlett, laughed. “It really is just a hobby that she happens to be especially good at. She’s not going to go out hunting.”

Instead of shooting real animals, Luci chooses to dedicate her time caring for her 300 chickens and collecting their eggs. When she’s not using a bow and arrow or helping her family on their dairy farm, her hands are full managing her own sustainable and ethical egg delivery business that she named, “Luci’s Layers.” 

Luci continues to impress her family and friends with her success as both an archer and business owner. At only 13 years old, “Luci is extremely dedicated to everything she puts her mind to,” her dad proudly explained.  “Between running her own egg business, her hard work in school, 4H championship wins, and of course archery…I’m just impressed with everything she does.” Goodluck at nationals, Luci!

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