September 6, 2019
Dayton, TN -- Local 12 year old Dayton City School student Lilli Gardner( birthday on Thursday), recently won Shooter of the Year Award, which is a National Award. Lilli has won three consecutive state titles for Tennessee and has five national wins in the elementary female youth division.
Lilli started shooting(archery) at four years of age and seemed to have a knack for shooting at an early age. She competed in her first competition at five years old. The competition at Cleveland showed great promise as Lilli shot a perfect score and won her division.
For the next few years, Lilli only shot in local competitions until she turned nine years old. At nine she took part in her very first national Shoot in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where she placed second in her division that included girls from age 9 to 12. In her first season of national tournaments she had 4 podiums(top 3) in six tournament. She begn competing in her first indoor competition, which differs a lot from outdoor competion. At indoors she won three regionals and her first indoor state championship. In her second season.
She then picked up more title in outdoor competion and finished with four more podium appearances while finishing as runner-up to national Shooter of the Year in 2018.
Lilli entered 2019 outdoor looking for the big prize, the national player of the year. Lilli had great success with three wins and two second place wins. Winning the Shooter of the Year took a combination of all scores for the year and a classic win in Metropolis, Illinois. Gardner entered the Classic with 22 point lead. She won the classic and the "Shooter of the Year" title. In the "Classic" win she edged out a young shooter from South Carolina for all the marbles to finish an eight month season with the prize.
Due to her success, she has earned a sponsorship with Obsession Bows when she was 10 years old. Her Major sponsor is Harvest Archery Pro Shop in Dayton, Tennessee.
Lilli's father Doodle Gardner said, "The amount of mental focus and preparation for eight months, through all kinds of weather and terrain is tremendous. She grueling. After 8 months it literally came down to one arrow edging out a girl from South Carolina for all the marbles. At 11 years old the sky is the limit at this pace.
Final Results from "Shooter of the Year."
1 Lilli Gardner TN 48450 841 28 $0
2 Ashlyn Porter SC 52387 812 24 $0
3 Jennabeth Childers AL 44618 773 12 $0
4 Madalynne Closser MO 44378 763 8 $0
5 Shannon Steeley OK 44551 404 14 $0
6 Makenzie Russell GA 54156 167 0 $0
Lilli is a quiet young girl who attends Dayton City School and plays on the Rhea Middle soccer team. Rhea County is always proud of our young people who dedicate themselves to their sport and excel.
Lilli interviewed with Archer earlier this year. Archer is a group of professional women dedicated to promoting and helping women arcHERs in all levels of competition.