CLINTON, Miss. (WJTV) – A young man from Clinton is making a name for himself by way of bow and arrow.

Cammie Kitchens is representing not only Mississippi, but the United States in archery competitions.

“My first day at the YMCA, I was probably about 12, 13 years old. I shot my bow every single arrow went to the middle, and I was already out shooting. I was out shooting one of the coaches,” Kitchens said.

He’s had to balance his social and school life, while also being a member of the Arrow Band at Clinton High School, with his first love of archery. He almost had to give up the sport after an accident on a family trip when he severed his thumb.

“It was very hard. It was emotional, but my surgeons and parents helped out. Friends got at me, and it was an easy come back,” Kitchens said.

Through the trying times, Kitchens knows that he has only one thing that will never leave his side.

“It’s always good to have a support system parents, coaches, friends, all of that helps out. I love seeing the people that support me. I love hearing about the people that support me. I like talking to people that support me. It really helps keep me motivated,” he said.

He’s setting his sights towards competing in the coming months, and he knows what it will take to bring home the gold for the U.S.

“From the national team, I expect to shoot for my country. I love that. I love helping the other kids on the team, and I love the criticism that they give me. It helps me become a better archer. And so, every gold medal I get, any medal I get, is always very praise of honor because it shows the work that I’ve put in has helped me get to this point,” Kitchens said.

He wants to pursue a professional career in archery while also pursuing a degree in epidemiology.