Madilynn “Madi” Rhinevault, an 18-year-old archer from Montrose High School in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, has achieved outstanding success in state, national, and world archery competitions. Her dedication and skill have earned her top honors and made her a role model for fellow archers.

Recent Achievements

Madi recently competed in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) events in Manheim, Louisville, Kentucky, and Daytona, Florida. She won first place for females in 3D, bullseye, and the centershot tournament at the national level. At the world competition in Daytona, she placed third in bullseye and first in 3D shooting.

“She’s absolutely crushing it,” said Kaila Hess, shooting sports coordinator for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which organizes the program in about 315 schools across Pennsylvania.

Early Beginnings and Passion for Archery

Madi’s passion for archery began at a young age. She received her first bow, a Genesis, for Christmas when she was five years old and practiced with her dad every summer.

By third grade, she had a new camouflage-colored bow and started participating in centershot winter league events. A year later, she joined her school’s archery team and has been competing in NASP tournaments ever since.

“I’ve been shooting in them ever since,” Madi said, explaining her love for the sport. “I like things to be organized and consistent and I like routine. And in archery, everything has to be the same every time.”

Consistency and Practice

For Madi, consistency is key. She practices once a week for two to three hours to maintain her form without overworking her muscles. “If I shoot day after day for hours at a time, I’ll get worse and worse and start to develop problems,” she said.

Her dedication to archery extends to her family. Her younger siblings, Logan and Ali, also participate in NASP programs, with Ali consistently improving her personal best scores.

Community and Competitions

Madi values the sense of community that archery provides. “NASP gives you the opportunity to meet new people and see new places. I’ve been able to travel all over the country because of it and that’s been huge. I also like the community that it creates. I don’t think you get that in any other sport,” she said.

Coaching and Future Plans

In addition to her achievements as an archer, Madi has started coaching. She recently completed an eight-hour course to become a Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) and was able to coach her teammates at nationals. “To be able to actually stand in the coaches’ alley without worrying about getting kicked out. The kids were super happy, too,” she said.

Looking ahead, Madi plans to continue her involvement in archery while pursuing a career in teaching. She aims to coach archery at the school she will teach at and has earned several scholarships through archery to help fund her college education.

Archery’s Impact on Students

Kaila Hess and Todd Holmes from the Pennsylvania Game Commission have seen the positive impact of archery on students. Hess noted that participation in NASP is equally split between boys and girls, and the sport promotes camaraderie and self-esteem among students.

“It’s incredible to see like 1,000 students with bows and arrows in a day and there are zero injuries,” Hess said about the state competition.

Holmes highlighted the unique opportunities archery offers. “Archery is kind of cool in that you can have an individual aspect of it, but it’s also a team sport,” he said, adding that the sport is inclusive and adaptable for students with physical and vision challenges.

Conclusion

Madilynn “Madi” Rhinevault’s success story is a testament to her dedication, skill, and passion for archery. As she continues to compete and inspire others, she embodies the spirit of perseverance and community that makes archery a special sport.

For schools interested in starting NASP programs, more information is available at pgc.pa.gov, including details on financial support and steps to implement the program.

With her future looking bright, Madi’s journey in archery is far from over, and her impact on the sport and her community will continue to grow.