Fletcher would first compete at the Vegas Shoot in 2023, where she shot an 895.
“I knew I could shoot a lot better, but then when I got to Vegas, things didn’t quite line up,” she recalled.
Undeterred, she returned to the South Point in 2024, finishing 18th with an 896, not long after winning the youth open division at Lancaster. She would go on to win the young adult division at the Indoor Nationals in 2024.
“So I knew I was capable of shooting really, really well. It was just a matter of putting it all together in competition. Of course, I had a lot of encouragement from my family and other people at our club along the way.”
In 2025, after a fifth place in the pro division at Lancaster – ahead of world-class archers including Paige Pearce, Ella Gibson and Tanja Gellenthien – she visited the The Great Chicago Open. But she struggled with target panic, despite impressing with a 600.
“It was honestly kind of miserable. I was just trying to get through the weekend. But I only dropped one X. That went really well,” she said.
A change to a resistance release proved decisive.
“I heard some people say that the resistance release worked really well for them. I got one and started practicing with that. And within one session, that target panic was gone. And it took a little bit to get the feel back of my shot, but then once I did, I was on fire. So I had a lot of confidence going into Vegas,” explained the 18-year-old.
Supported by her father, who shot in the senior championship, the stage was set.
“Of course, it’s not a 300 until you put that last arrow in. But after completing that round, I was super pumped. The second day, my mental game wasn’t quite as good. But I just kept going round by round. Just keep them in the middle! I had a lot of confidence going into that third day.”
