Hayden is on target 24-7
Hayden Eilinger practices his craft. USA Archery photo.
By Abigail Spring
Hayden Eilinger was an everyday Boy Scout when he was younger, learning how to make fires, doing sporty activities such as swimming, and also learning how to shoot an arrow at a target. But unlike others, Hayden fell in love with the sport of archery and just kept shooting one arrow after another.
Hayden, a sophomore at Bonny Eagle, has been shooting archery for eight years, and has been competing nationally and internationally for six years.
Hayden became interested in archery because of the bow his dad made as a young adult that is on a wall in their house. He is currently using a Hoyt compound bow with Easton and Carbon express arrows. His nick name is the “pink panther” because of the pink equipment he accidently ordered but now embraces.
Hayden has said that he thinks about the word “squeeze” before he shoots to keep himself focused. He shoots about 120 arrows a day, seven days a week. If he can’t be outside, he shoots in a neighbor’s barn and sometimes travels to Massachusetts to work with his coach E.G LeBre.
“Just like a full time job!” he says.
This year Hayden has competed in Virginia, Arizona, and Ohio and at the Olympic Training Center in California. He placed third in the national team trials and earned fourth place in the world team trails.
Although he depends on friends back home to support him, Hayden has made close friends with most of the people he competes with around the world.
“With the time being spent practicing and away competing, you soon gain a certain respect and camaraderie with those around you competing.” Hayden said.
When he is not practicing his archery skills, Hayden enjoys spending his time watching movies with friends, running long distances, and scuba diving.
There has been some interest around Bonny Eagle in having an archery club. Hayden feels if you are interested in doing archery you should just go for it!
“You won’t know if you truly like it or not if you sit there on your bum in the house!” he says.
Hayden Eilinger was an everyday Boy Scout when he was younger, learning how to make fires, doing sporty activities such as swimming, and also learning how to shoot an arrow at a target. But unlike others, Hayden fell in love with the sport of archery and just kept shooting one arrow after another.
Hayden, a sophomore at Bonny Eagle, has been shooting archery for eight years, and has been competing nationally and internationally for six years.
Hayden became interested in archery because of the bow his dad made as a young adult that is on a wall in their house. He is currently using a Hoyt compound bow with Easton and Carbon express arrows. His nick name is the “pink panther” because of the pink equipment he accidently ordered but now embraces.
Hayden has said that he thinks about the word “squeeze” before he shoots to keep himself focused. He shoots about 120 arrows a day, seven days a week. If he can’t be outside, he shoots in a neighbor’s barn and sometimes travels to Massachusetts to work with his coach E.G LeBre.
“Just like a full time job!” he says.
This year Hayden has competed in Virginia, Arizona, and Ohio and at the Olympic Training Center in California. He placed third in the national team trials and earned fourth place in the world team trails.
Although he depends on friends back home to support him, Hayden has made close friends with most of the people he competes with around the world.
“With the time being spent practicing and away competing, you soon gain a certain respect and camaraderie with those around you competing.” Hayden said.
When he is not practicing his archery skills, Hayden enjoys spending his time watching movies with friends, running long distances, and scuba diving.
There has been some interest around Bonny Eagle in having an archery club. Hayden feels if you are interested in doing archery you should just go for it!
“You won’t know if you truly like it or not if you sit there on your bum in the house!” he says.