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My entire family and I have been actively involved in Archery for over 15 years.  My father gave me a recurve bow when I was eight years old to shoot recreationally in the backyard and from that moment on I was hooked. Shortly thereafter, we joined a local Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) club for lessons and to train with some of the nation’s best coaches and archers, including Olympian Jake Kaminski. I shot Olympic Style Recurve for 10 years at a national level allowing me to train as a Resident Athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. In 2006, I returned home to attend college and obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. I have been competing in the compound division for 6 years nationally in both target and 3-D archery. Recently, I’ve obtained my Level 4-NTS Coaching Certification from USA Archery, with a goal of continuing my certification levels. I also enjoy spending time outdoors hunting and fishing with my fiancé. Before coming to Lancaster, I volunteered alongside my family to run the same JOAD Archery program that I started shooting with in order to share my knowledge and passion for the sport of archery.

A wise man once told me that time flies like an arrow when you're shooting archery. I responded that while this may be so, fruit flies like a banana. Unlike many in this sport who began at a young age, I did not start flinging arrows until I was an adult (I can neither confirm nor deny whether fruit may have been flung at a much earlier age). I started shooting Olympic Recurve when I went to college in 2008 at James Madison University. As I became more familiar with the sport, the coaches introduced me to the National USAT circuit, and I’ve been hooked on FITA-style archery ever since. By the time I graduated, I had not only gained my first coaching certification, but had begun to compete regularly in state and national-level events. I’ve been with the Academy since 2015, and have continued to pursue my coaching and competitive careers while here. I currently am a Level 4-NTS coach, and still shoot the USAT circuit every year. I hope to see you on the range!

In 2013, I became active in archery through my association with a medieval group (Society of Creative Anachronism) in Austin, TX. I began by attending their practices and had multiple individuals provide me with guidance and encourage my love of the sport as a traditional archer. Over the next few years, I learned more about range safety, equipment inspection, and maintenance. I became a local range marshal while also guiding other individuals on how to manage the range. I joined USA Archery and took the Level I & II Instructor courses. In September 2020, I moved to Lancaster, PA. I started in October at Lancaster Archery Supply as an instructor. I have continued to learn more about the modern recurve shooting styles, as well as compound shooting. Working with students who are learning about the sport, seeing their wonder and excitement as they progress in their skills is inspiring me to continue this journey. I have started competing with modern archery equipment and have shot Barebow, Olympic and Compound. My other hobbies include horses, weaving, sewing, and reading.

My introduction to the sport of archery started back in 2014, during high school, when my older brothers handed me a compound bow set up for hunting and told me to “shoot that target”. Since that day, I have been shooting off and on throughout the years; you would typically find me deer hunting or shooting at the Renaissance Faire’s traditional longbow open range. As I really enjoy the historical aspect of archery, my favorite style of shooting is traditional/longbow. Though in my time as an Academy Instructor I have picked up compound (mainly for bowhunting) and barebow recurve for casual shooting. While I have not yet competed, I plan to try competitions in the future! When I’m not on the range you can find me playing video games or tabletop games —mostly of the fantasy genre — or enjoying a day at the Renaissance Faire with my wife and friends, taking pictures in our historical garb, and watching the jousting tournament!

Liz has been working for the Academy since 2014. She is a level 4 coach and has competed with both barebow and Olympic recurve.

Like any young girl in the 2000s, I was raised on Disney movies, which I can fully credit for my introduction to the sport of archery. After watching Brave and declaring to my parents that I wanted to shoot a bow too, I was gifted a starter compound bow at 10 years old. A few years later, my dad found Lancaster Archery Academy, and I’ve been shooting a compound bow here ever since. In my time at Lancaster Archery Academy, I’ve shot in our seasonal leagues, joined the Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) Team, and shot in local and national competitions. I applied to work as an archery instructor in the summer of 2021, just before starting at Millersville University for a degree in Psychology. While my main shooting focus has always been compound, working at the Academy encouraged me to expand into other styles of shooting such as Olympic and barebow recurve. When I’m not at the Academy you can find me trying new recipes, reading fantasy novels, or watching football and Formula 1 (on Sundays)!

At just 5 years old, my dad introduced me to the sport of archery. He was shooting in the backyard, trying to get ready for hunting season, and I said, “I want to do that.” My very first bow was a starter bow from Walmart that I would shoot at a target only 5 yards away. I was immediately hooked. My love for the sport has grown exponentially over these past 18 years of shooting. My main style of shooting is compound, which I compete with. I started competing in archery at 8 years old. Currently, I compete in 3-D, indoor, and outdoor competitions. My favorite season is 3-D because of the challenge it poses. I compete at a professional and collegiate level currently. I enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, and traveling whenever I’m not shooting my bow. I also thoroughly enjoy visiting local coffee shops. 

My introduction to archery began in the summer of 2017, when I was 8 years old. Since then, I have continued to shoot, beginning to compete at about 10 years old, joining the Junior Olympic Archery Development Team here at Lancaster Archery Academy, and starting to share my love for the sport as an instructor. The shooting style I focus on the most is compound, and I compete at a national level in most disciplines including 3-D, indoor target, and outdoor target. In 2024, I was third in the country for the Compound Women’s U18 division! You may also see my two younger sisters shooting here on the range as they prep for our next tournament. In addition to target shooting, I also join my father on hunting trips. I enjoy hunting, camping, and working out with my family. This sport has given me a huge and supportive family I am always grateful for. I hope to share my love for the sport through teaching and welcome any new archers into this amazing sport.