One John Carroll Catholic High School student will have a special interest in the 2022 World Games Archery Competition being held at Avondale Park, July 8-15. Rising sophomore Veronica Walker was an early adopter of the sport of archery and has been growing on the local, regional, national, and international stages in the junior division of the sport for several years. Walker competed for the United States at the World Archery Continental Qualifier Event held in Medellin, Spain, in November of 2021. In her division, she finished 15th among the world’s best in the Compound Event. Additionally, this past March, USA Archery announced Walker would be part of the Regional Elite Development (RED) Program for 2022. The athletes selected for the program are among the country’s most talented up-and-coming youth archers and are dedicated to pursuing the dream of representing USA Archery on the world stage.

Walker, a St. Francis Xavier Catholic School graduate, became interested in archery after attending a Girl Scout camp when she was 11 years old. In addition to competing with the Regional Elite Development Team through USA Archery, Walker competes with the Hoover Archery Team. The city of Hoover started an archery program in 2013, and it is run by the Hoover Parks and Recreation Department.

“I’ve enjoyed getting to know so many of the archers throughout our region and country. It’s such a great community of people,” said Walker.

When asked what she thought it took to excel in the sport, she added, “There are so many little things to focus on, and there is a lot of muscle memory involved. It really challenges athletes mentally and physically.”

It takes many hours of practice and a commitment to travel to grow into a top archer. Walker practices 2-4 hours every other day, and she shoots approximately 72 arrows during a practice session. Travel can also include frequent visits to Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, for sessions with her coach, Laval Dee Fawlks, owner of World Class Archery. However, the goal of having more opportunities to represent the United States at events such as the World Games spurs her on towards becoming an elite archer and keeps her motivated through the commitment of time and travel. “It was amazing to go to Spain to represent the United States. It would be awesome to be a part of the World Games or even the Olympics when I’m older,” added Walker.