Alderson elementary schooler and state champion turns heads on national archery scene
ALDERSON, WV (WVNS) – A 5th grader from Alderson Elementary School is taking the national archery scene by storm. Gaia Wilmer began shooting archery in 2025, when she was in 4th grade. She was named an academic all-American archer, alongside several other accolades, which includes a second-place finish at states among those in her grade.
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ALDERSON, WV (WVNS) – A 5 th grader from Alderson Elementary School is taking the national archery scene by storm. Gaia Wilmer began shooting archery in 2025, when she was in 4 th grade. She was named an academic all-American archer, alongside several other accolades, which includes a second-place finish at states among those in her grade.
James Monroe Archer to continue competing on the next level at Rio Grande Wilmer continued her meteoric rise in 2026 by winning the girls state championship in her age group, shooting a 284 at the West Virginia DNR National Archery in the Schools Program State Championship Tournament in March 2026. “When I first started, I was shooting really bad. Then, I did not know if I was going to be on the team or not, but since we moved into like the new gym, since they have like better equipment and stuff, I have been shooting a lot better,” said Wilmer.
Wilmer is currently ranked 3 rd in the nation. Her twin sister is not too far behind, either – as she placed 8 th at the state tournament. Gaia is now practicing to compete in the NASP Eastern Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky that will take place in May 2026.