Hitting the bullseye is what got junior Chancie Whitaker all the way to nationals and close to Worlds. She was the only one in Devine that advanced to Nationals as an individual and competed against thousands of boys and girls of all ages, from elementary to high school.

“It was nerve-racking but at the same I’ve never seen so so many people there for the same thing,” Whitaker said. “There were nuns and Native Americans from the Indian reservations, and everyone was with their parents and coaches.”

Whitaker went all the way to Louisville, Kentucky with her father, the only one who accompanied her on her journey to Nationals on May 8-10.

“Mr. Wheelus is my official coach, but because my dad went with me, he was technically my coach,” Whitaker said. “It was a great experience because we got to bond and I enjoyed him getting to go and he enjoyed being there.”

Whitaker received 272 out of 300 people at state and 273 out of 300 at Nationals. Out of just the high school students Whitaker received 306 out of 4709 competitors. As she continues her hard work at school and at home in her back yard, Whitaker plans on returning to Nationals next year and maybe even Worlds.

“I hope I get the chance to go to Nationals again,  but if I got to Worlds it would be a tougher experience that I would like to face,” Whitaker said.