Wasilla archer at the top of her class

PALMER — Kira Cook traveled to Redding, Calif. recently as the only female archer in the young adult freestyle class at the NFAA Marked 3D National Championship and the Western Classic Trail Shoot. Cook took 2nd in the National tournament and 3rd in the Western classic. She was the only female archer from Alaska to compete.

Kira hosted fundraisers to help raise money for the trip, and was excited to represent Alaska at the tournaments. Kira had also traveled to Las Vegas for the world’s largest indoor international archery shoot each of the last two Februaries. This was her second time attending the shoot in Redding, which is one of the largest outdoor shoots in the world.

The 15-year-old competed for the first time against girls above her, ages 16 and 17, and still came out on the podium. Cook spends much of her free time at an archery range or practicing in the Cook family backyard.

“We wish we could take her to more of the national stuff but they’re all in the lower 48. She went to this one because of the support of the community,” said Kira’s mother, Tricia. “We homeschool so it caters well to her being able to shoot a lot during the day so she can get that practice.”

Kira started archery five years ago. The family moved up to Alaska from Florida, and in search of something to keep her active, Tricia attended archery classes. She was hooked immediately.

“Well, it’s indescribable. It’s really fun and relaxing and it really helps me strive to be the best I can be. It really helps me with my focus and I just love meeting new people through archery learning shooting different types of targets. it’s just really fun,” said Cook.

Kira has taken to competing and spending most of her free time with a bow in her hand. She was named the ASAA Shooter of the Year 2017, shoots for Screaming Eagle Archery of Alaska in Wasilla, and is also a staff shooter for T.R.U.Ball Archery and a silver staff shooter for Specialty Archery, two major archery companies. Kira's goal is to turn pro.

“I want to be a professional archer. I want to become a pro and travel all around the country competing and just participating in all of these major national shoots,” said Cook.