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Scholarship to Emmanuel College

  • USA Nationals 2015

      8 July 2015
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    The USA Nationals 2015 where my last USA Target tournament here in America. I spent last week in Decatur Alabama, shooting in some very tough conditions. The Junior Woman shot our ranking round over the course of two days, we had 5 hour delays due to lightning, heavy rain and high winds. I arrived at the range at 7:30am waited around in the truck for hours as lightning kept striking close to the range. It was long days, but worth it. I started this year ranking 39th Junior Woman in America at the Indoor Nationals and this weekend I walked away with my highest American Junior Ranking yet. Coach Dee stood behind me and helped me finish 6th Junior in the USA. I won the Junior Woman's Guest Division, made it to the 1/8ths in eliminations and my team was in the bronze medal match, finishing up 4th.

    These last few weeks have been tough as I’ve hit a lot of mental and physical barriers, but I’ve broken, no, I have smashed some personal bests and made changes in my form that I never believed I would be able to do. I broke 600 in a 720 round for the first time in training which is a big break through for me. My coaches have been saying for a long time that the results are going to start happening and I truly believe that they are right. I’ve pushed forward my flights a little so I can have an extra couple of weeks to work with Coach Dee before returning to Christchurch to train with the National Development Team. As I start College back up again in 5 days, I know it’s going to be a challenge to continue to put in as my training hours as I have, but I have never turned down a good challenge ? I am aiming for Shanghai in 2015, and need to shoot 4 qualifying scores to be able to represent New Zealand on an international stage.

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  • Aiming for Gold

      30 May 2015
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    This amazing year at Emmanuel College has drawn to a close. I have been part of promotional radio station ads representing Emmanuel, a team captain of a Varsity Archery team, ranked second in the South East region of America, silver medal at Indoor Regionals, gold and silver at Outdoor Regionals, bronze medal at Arizona Cup and 13th Collegiately in America. In my year here I have learnt the pressure of shooting with and against World Cup Medalists, and have realized the gap between them and myself has only grown smaller especially in the past year. I have broken many personal bests, and have had one of the best years of my life in America. However as an athlete I have to keep moving towards my goals and reassessing what will help me reach my full potential.

    I have been offered a spot in the ACINZ High Performance Program based in Christchurch along with a place at the University of Canterbury (UC). As an athlete at UC I will have access to biomechanical analysis, the gym, as well as strength and conditioning classes with more resources than a smaller school like Emmanuel can offer, UC also has more degrees specializing in the fields I am interested in. My major goals are to finish my Bachelor’s degree, represent New Zealand on a world cup stage whilst working towards the Olympics. The possibility of making an Olympic run for Rio is in my mind’s eye with Tokyo still being the ultimate long-term goal. With this in mind returning to New Zealand to work with the Canterbury Universities Athlete Development program and the ACINZ High Performance program is a huge opportunity for me personally, and hopefully in the future archery in New Zealand.

    Taking this step brings me away from Colligate level shooting, and hopefully soon onto a World Cup Level. With greater flexibility offered at UC I will be able to structure my study around my training and competition schedule, additionally as part of the ACINZ high performance program I will be working with a Level Four NTS coach in person as much a 6 times a week coupled with additional skype sessions with Olympic Level Coach Dee Falks. I am excited to have this chance to create a better balance between my study and meeting the training hours and coaching time I need to reach my goals.

    A massive thank you to all my supporters and sponsors, I am so very grateful for the constant financial support that enabled me to leave New Zealand and spend a year in America. Without this year I would never have made the immense amount of progress that I have. I am further along on my journey because of your help. I look forward to keeping you updated on my progress in my last few months in the USA as I still have two major tournaments left to compete at here.

    I would love to hear from you if there are any questions about my return to New Zealand and my future plans. I can’t wait to be back in the country I want to represent at the Olympics, and look forward to hearing from you.

    Please check out www.facebook.com/kiwikatniss for more updates!

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  • Less than 2 weeks!

      24 July 2014

    Busy studying for my SAT exams, packing and training. Had my last day of work yesterday so I can focus on getting ready. Heading down to Christchurch this weekend, thanks to Aimtru Archers who are flying me down to spend my last weekend training with the National Development Team. Thank you for your support and encouragement -Kiwi Katnis

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  • Update for 14/07/2014

      14 July 2014

    Officially got my Student Visa and confirmed flights. 22 days folks! Thanks for the encouragement and the support, I can't wait to start my new life in the States :)

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  • Update for 26/06/2014

      26 June 2014

    Officially applied for my Student visa this morning before an interview with the local paper. I want to thank everyone who donated to me, I'm so grateful and stoked to have reached 3 grand in such a short space of time. Some of you didn't leave names so I can't thank you in person, but your generosity has left me amazed and so so thankful.

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