The distance from his eye to the target seems farther than it was at his practice. Nicolas pushed back his arm, took a deep breath and with the squint of his eye, he let go of the arrow. It was a major tournament—one that would decide his future in archery.

Powell began his journey in archery in the 6th grade. Today, he’s a two-year state champion and holds a state record for the highest score in his division.

“My journey started when my dad said that I had to choose one sport to do, and I didn’t like to run,” Powell said. “I liked the air conditioning better.”

Coaches John Lanier and Jason Anderson have been working with Powell since last year.

“I am glad that he continues to come to afternoon practice,” archery coach John Lanier said. “When the new archers see Nico shoot, they know that they are looking at someone who is a state and national champion.”

As a junior, Powell plays alongside many other members of the school’s archery team. 

“It’s inspiring to see someone in our grade make a big impact in a sport like archery, especially since it doesn’t always get a lot of attention,” Seaver said. “It shows how dedication can make a difference.”

Powell’s current goal is to become state champion again. 

“I want to practice every day and run three hours [a day],” Powell said. “My favorite moments in archery are winning national tournaments and getting state records.”

Lanier credits Powell’s perseverance, as he is always making slight improvements to ensure success.

“From the shot set up to the delivery, students see this and try to emulate what they are witnessing,” Lanier said. “Nico is as even-keel as they come and cool under pressure.”