Southmoreland junior Mikayla Lewandowski is ready to begin the road to 4-H Nationals this summer, where she will be competing against students of various ages for the title of being a National Champion.

Her training had started in April, and she has to learn to adjust to outdoor archery from spending months participating in indoor archery.

“It’s an adjustment that is easy,” said Lewandoski. “I just have to focus on the bigger one which is nationals.”

Lewandoski trains every day for three hours. Once summer begins, she will practice for five to eight hours a day. Practices start with two hours of low intensity shooting and increase to high intensity shooting. She finishes with an hour of weightlifting. She trains alone but has other 4- H members “distract her” to help her gain her focus mentality on the game.

As her practices continue, she will be able to work with new trainers as the competition grows closer. Lewandoski’s trainers change as she makes the switch from indoor to outdoor. One, however, will be staying with her even with the change. Her coach, Dan Pringle, has been working with her since she has begun. The two have been working hard ever since the day she walked into 4-H Archery. Pringle works with her almost every day.

“She has the strength to push herself to new levels making her improve each practice,” said Pringle.

Nationals is very important to Lewandoski. With the help of everyone’s support, her work ethic is becoming  her strength. The preparation is what helps her the most. From June 26 to July 1, Lewandoski will be participating in the competition.