ABOUT THE  ATLANTA ARCHERY CLUB

Coach Mariabelen (Maria) has been involved in archery for more than 11 years. She has served as a Range Master, event coordinator and most recently as a youth coach in various organizations in Miami. She received her USA Archery Level 3 Instructor in 2023, Level 2 in 2015, and recently joined the Atlanta Archery Club as an Assistant Coach. She emphasizes on finding what works for each archer, and helping them make progress towards their goals. Preferred bow: I have a Genex and a couple of recurve bows. One set up as a Barebow and one as an Olympic bow. I personally prefer the Barebow, but am happy to use any bow I can get my hands on. What drew you to archery? Archery is one of the few sports that is welcoming to all sort of folks. I love the openness of most clubs.

I have always loved archery mainly from video games. My personal goal is to be able to go hunting. Outside of the range I am a psychology major at Morehouse College. Preferred bow: I prefer the compound bow because I feel there a bit was to shoot. What drew you to archery? Video games like elder scrolls made me like archery because of its more primal aspects.

Serena was first introduced to archery in high school at summer camp, but had no formal training. She got back into it in early 2022 at Atlanta Archery Club and is thrilled to be coaching where she is also a student. She loves archery's combination of power and calm, and loves getting to work in a lesser-known sporting environment. Serena currently works as a technical director with middle and high schoolers, and in her free time enjoys writing, reading, ballroom, and art. Preferred bow: Recurve barebow, it feels as close to ancient archery as I can get without having to steal a bow from someone's tomb. What drew you to archery? An elegant weapon that not many people can say they use is what drew me to archery, and the fact I can be both relaxed and incredibly strong at the same time is what keeps me there.

My name is Milo Wilson I am a level 1 archery instructor who is getting his masters in computer Science at Kennesaw State University. I got my undergraduate degree in computer game design this year, and I enjoy cooking. Preferred bow: I enjoy shooting bare recurve bow because it plays into that traditional archery experience. The practice of going through the shot cycle helps me focus more so on shooting the bow consistently rather than concentrating on aiming. What drew you to archery? Archery was something I never saw myself doing but in my last semester of my undergraduate degree I took archery as a class and really enjoyed it. I found myself enjoying every day that I got to wake up and shoot arrows so I continued to do archery after the semester concluded.

On and off most of my life. Got back into it about a year ago. Get better with recurve and compound. Outside of range - Ham Radio, backpacking, outdoor activities. Preferred bow: I like both recurve and compound. I have a traditional wooden recurve and an Olympic style. Also have 4 compound bows. What drew you to archery? Requires skill, concentration and focus. A Zen/yoga feeling.

I have been involved in archery since late 2019. My goal is breaking the state record for my division before I move into the next division. Preferred bow: Barebow recurve—I like the challenge, simplicity, and look of it. I started out with a compound before switching over thanks Coach Yale’s teachings. What drew you to archery? I liked the idea of an outdoor sport and wanted to be with my friends that were doing it.

My love for archery began as a child whenever I could sneak get my hands on one of my brothers’ bows. I began to step fully into archery a bunch of years ago when I asked my husband for a bow for my birthday & took a few lessons at another range. For ages, I was a “backyard archer” until I decided I wanted Real Lessons & that’s when we found Coach Yale. I’ve been one of his adult archers for around 2 years. I am a Level 2 Instructor and am so happy to be able to combine my love for archery with my elementary educator background to help Coach Yale with the homeschool team. Outside of the range, I am a mom to a set of incredible twins who keep my days full of swimming & JOAD practices & all the things that teenagers need. In my spare time, I like to create, to be outside as much as possible, and find new ways to make life joy-filled & beautiful. Preferred bow: Recurve Barebow because I love the challenge of finding my target both mentally & physically. The ancient art mixed with the modern technology suits me perfectly. What drew you to archery? Archery as meditation as well as physical skill brings me a lot of peace. When I breathe into my set position & get to block everything out except the shot cycle - just me & my bow reaching for that gold circle in the middle - I find a lot of peace in that moment. There’s also something about that THWACK!

Preferred bow: What drew you ro archery?