Doug Pritchett

I started the sport of archery while at Boy Scout camp at fourteen years old. I came home and asked my mom if I could begin to shoot. My mother, who was an archery club champion while pregnant with me, answered absolutely! It was just my mother and me at home. It became a great time for our family. I found a great range and was able to meet a legend named Katie Smith. She helped coach me at first. Then, at the same range, I met my coach, Tom DeBerry. I owe all of my success to his coaching and mentorship. It was an honor to be chosen to be a pallbearer at his funeral recently.

With great coaching, I was able to win my first state championship in six months of picking up a bow. I have been very fortunate to win dozens and dozens of state and local championships in the forty-five years I have been competing. It was an honor to represent the United States at the 2004 World Field Championships in Croatia. To have USA on my back and be on this team of amazing archers was incredible. I have also won multiple national and regional championships, along with multiple state records.

My future goals include pressing to make the 2028 Para Olympic team. I will be going through the classification process in July of 2026. After being diagnosed with stage four cancer and having twenty plus surgeries. I have lost the use of my lower leg. This is what pushes me to strive for the games. You are never too old.

I would like to thank my current sponsors and my Home JOAD club, Cincinnati Junior Olympians, for their continued support. I am so thankful to be welcomed to the Zulu Archery & Outdoors team. I hope to help them grow the sport of archery in any way I can.

See you on the shooting line soon.