Archery

Tucked into tranquil woods off a dead-end road in Frederick, Sophia Strachan nocked an arrow onto the string. With chirping birds providing the only noise, she drew the bow and took aim.

After a few seconds, she released the string. The arrow sped through the air, piercing the bull's-eye on the target 35 meters away in a clump of trees.

Strachan was alone and at peace, practicing at the Tuscarora Archers range, where she spends much of her time. But she knew this serenity was temporary: Strachan competes at the national level in the Cadet group composed of 15- to 17-year-olds, where she is constantly battling nerves.

And this weekend, the sport she loves took her more...