REDDING, Calif. -- It only took a few short years for Rialey Hartman to set four state archery records.
“I was surprised. I was very surprised because I didn’t actually know that I got a record because we just got back from the shoot,” said Hartman.
The eight-year-old set three style and a total score record in the California State Field Championships. This was the first archer’s competition in the state since COVID-19.
I feel good because all I’ve been doing is just sitting in the house,” said Hartman.
This wasn’t the first time Rialey had to sit out. The Carr Fire destroyed her home along with her bow in 2018.
“After the Carr Fire I didn’t have anything else to do so I started archery and when we had a house I had a bow, a recurve, so I started all over again with a new one,” said Hartman.
Nearly two years ago, she then went to Don Prince for some serious lessons.
“She was just a typical six-year-old, scattered out,” said Prince. “She liked to play, so when she started it was more or less having to play games with her to keep her focused.”
Rialey says she takes it really serious now.
“If I missed I would be kind of mad. I’ll be bummed out about it,” said Hartman.
Braydon Craig is 11-years-old and he took second place in the Championships in Redding.
“I was kind of bummed because I don’t like losing,” said Craig. “You got to get first every single time. It’s a competition.
Braydon started nearly two years ago when his father gave him a bow for Christmas.
“These two are very special kids,” said Prince. They want to be good at it and they work hard at it and I’ve been working here for 45-47 years and seeing kids like this come through makes me feel like my time is worth it.”
Braydon says he’ll make his next time worth all his hard work.
I’m going to really try because I don’t like losing,” said Braydon.
Due to COVID-19 cases rising again it is unknown when their next competition will be.