She doesn’t wear the fancy athlete backpack, but that
doesn’t matter.
Though her name remains in relative obscurity, UCLA archer Kate
Anderson has the opportunity to do something few
“recognizable” UCLA athletes have ever done ““ she
is just one step away from representing the United States at the
2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Anderson qualified for the Olympic archery trials this past
April while competing at the West Regional Collegiate Outdoor
Championships in Stanford.
“It was hard not getting too excited and messing
up,” said Anderson, as she recalled her emotions from the
regionals.
“When the last arrow left my bow, I just went around
hugging everyone on the team.”
Though the journey isn’t over and Anderson still has a lot
of work to do to qualify for the Olympics, her rise in the world of
archery has been incredible.
To hear of the junior’s accomplishments, one might assume
she’s been practicing archery for years and years.
More like year and year. Anderson has only been an archer since
2002.
“During my freshman year, archery was being offered as a
recreational class (at UCLA). I always wanted to know what it would
be like,” Anderson said.
The former high school tennis player and crew team member was
instantly smitten with the bow and arrow.
“It took over my life,” Anderson said. “I
liked it because you don’t need anyone else to be able to do
it. It’s very satisfying.”
Anderson says she owes much of her success to her coaches, who
have been instrumental in teaching her the important mental aspects
of archery.
One of her advisers, Lloyd Brown, was the 1996 and 2000 Olympic
coach. Brown, who has worked with the best in the country, has some
lofty praise for the newcomer.
“She’s new and still learning, but her shot
execution is one of the best I’ve ever seen,” Brown
said.
“For a young and new archer to be successful like that,
she should have a great career ahead of her. Sky’s the
limit.”
That sky has seen sun and clouds alike over the past weeks.
After losing the bronze-medal match at last year’s U.S.
Intercollegiate Championship, Anderson came back this year and won
the championship, defeating Texas A&M’s Corinne Yohann,
99-96, in the final.
A national champion in her second year ““Â not too
bad.
But that’s not to say that it’s all been smooth
sailing.
On the flight back to Los Angeles from the national
championships, Anderson’s body began to break down, as she
started experiencing nausea and pain on the plane.
After landing, Anderson was rushed to the hospital, where
doctors revealed she had appendicitis, prompting them to perform
emergency surgery.
“I think the appendicitis is due to me not slowing down in
the last few months,” Anderson said.
“I’d had pains prior to that, but mind over matter
allowed me to get through the competitions.”
Ordered by the doctors to take it easy for the next three weeks,
Anderson won’t be able to practice for the Olympic trials
until right before they begin on June 14.
“My bow was taken away from me,” Anderson said with
a laugh.
As frustrating as it is not being able to practice, lack of
recognition also remains a sore spot for Anderson.
“I wish UCLA would give our team more credit,”
Anderson said. “We’ve been out on Bruin Walk, but
it’s been hard to build a good base.”
Frustrating as the lack of recognition has been, Anderson has
continued to go about her business successfully, being named to the
All-America team each of the last two years.
Now things will get difficult.
Injured, still considered a novice, and up against the
nation’s best, Anderson isn’t ready to book a plane
ticket to Greece just yet.
“They say it takes seven years to make an Olympic
athlete,” Anderson said. “I’m not discounting
(2004), but I’m focusing more on 2008.”
“There’s a chance she can make it this year, but
she’ll definitely be good for 2008,” Brown added.
And what if the Olympics can’t wait four more years, and
come calling for Anderson this summer?
“It would be huge,” Anderson said. “It would
be amazing ““ almost indescribable.”