Xavier’s Karpick aims high

CEDAR RAPIDS - When the Olympic Summer Games take place in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, Cedar Rapids Xavier junior Abbey Karpick will be 18 years old.

This fact may seem very irrelevant, but with a rising status as a recurve bow shooter, Karpick is not shying away from the chance of one day reaching Olympic glory.

Not many can say they belong in an elite Iowa company that includes track star Lolo Jones and gymnast Shawn Johnson.

After shooting for only about two-and-a-half years, Karpick already has established herself as one of the top competitors in the state. On Feb. 28, she defended her indoor state title in her class and age division. She also won top honors at the regional competition and is looking forward to competing at the national level this summer in Dekalb, Ala. She placed 77th last year in her first national tournament and is confident she can improve upon her previous outing.

'My ultimate goal for myself is to make it to the Olympic Trials someday,” Karpick said. 'Only three archers get chosen for each Olympics so it will be tough to make the U.S. team.”

As a member of the Waltonian Archery Club in Toddville, Karpick has enjoyed participating in this unique sport. She also belongs to the Wapsi Warrior Junior Olympic Development Club and the National Field Archery Association. With little to no previous experience with a bow and arrow, it was a pleasant surprise when she found out how naturally the sport came to her.

'I have never really considered myself the type of athlete who is good at things such as running and jumping,” Karpick said. 'Archery comes so easily to me because it is a much more controlled sport, and it requires a lot of mental focus and strength in order to be successful.”

Karpick traveled to Mankato, Minn., last weekend to compete in a USAT qualifier, her first time competing in this indoor national tournament. She is awaiting results.