FOLEY, Ala.—When Nathan Jackson picked up a bow at a summer camp in Rhome, Texas, in 2019, he never imagined it would lead him to a college scholarship, or to the HotelPlanner USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals in Foley. Yet that’s just what’s happening.
Jackson, 19, will compete with the University of Rio Grande at the national event held Oct. 2–4 in Foley. His path to collegiate archery was anything but traditional. After graduating high school in 2024, he took a gap year to focus on the sport he loved, unsure of his future and weighing options like trade school or culinary arts.
That year, he had consistent finishes on the USA Archery Team (USAT) circuit, which culminated in a gold medal match victory at the 2025 Rebel Gear Buckeye Classic. The win was life-changing because Jackson’s performance caught the attention of coaches from the University of Rio Grande, who offered him a scholarship just weeks before the school year began.
“My reaction to going to Rio Grande was speechlessness. I didn’t know what to say. I was excited, nervous, a little scared that it was a dream,” Jackson says. “If I hadn’t put so much work into archery, I’d still be at home not knowing what to do. I don’t know where I’d be in life if I hadn’t put so much time and dedication into this amazing sport. This sport has opened so many doors for me. Archery changed my life so much that I went from playing games and going to school, not being very social at all, to being able to make friends wherever I go and have a good time competing and practicing with friends.”
Since joining the team, Jackson has adapted quickly to 3D archery, a discipline that was new to him.
“Nathan came to us as an accomplished target archer but brand new to 3D,” says Rio Grande head coach Jonathan Clemins. “We had to make significant changes to his setup and his strategy. He picked it up faster than probably anyone I’ve ever coached.”
Clemins added that Jackson has exceeded expectations both in and out of practice, even taking steps to optimize his nutrition and overall performance.
“Nathan’s story is a wonderful example of what collegiate archery can provide,” says Callie Grieser, USA Archery’s director of sport development. “This program doesn’t just give athletes a place to compete—it creates life-changing opportunities through education, training, and a supportive team environment.”
Foley, known for hosting major youth and collegiate sports events, will serve as the backdrop for Jackson’s latest chapter.
“We have always wanted Foley to be a place for lasting memories to be made. A place people associate with wonderful times in their lives,” says City of Foley executive director of leisure services David Thompson. “The opportunity to host events like the USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals allows us to be the backdrop for these archers to have moments just like Nathan did at the Buckeye Classic, memories of that last arrow, and the thrill of a win that can change your life. We love being a part of incredible sporting events, but what we really love is being a part of those moments.”
