Success for CJ senior Liam Hall comes from maintaining mental mindset

Carl Junction Bulldogs Archery Star Liam Hall Fast Facts

Age: 17

Grade in School: 12th

Parents: Jerad and Meggan Hall

Siblings: Gavin, Averie and Amelia

Hometown: Carl Junction, Missouri

Favorite Subject in School: History

Favorite Food: Krautburgers

Favorite Archery Character: Hawkeye

Accolades: Academically scored a 34 on his ACT and currently has a 4.0 GPA and will most likely be a National Merit Semifinalist. He’s active in Boy Scouts and is pursuing his Eagle Scout. Liam is a member of Future Business Leaders of America and advanced to state competition in 2023. He’s a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. Liam was selected to participate in Constitution Camp in Missouri in 2022. He was also selected to participate in Missouri Leadership Seminar in Warrensburg in 2022 and selected to participate in Boys’ State in St. Charles in 2023.

By Don Lowe

Carl Junction Bulldogs senior Liam Hall is the first to admit traditional sports such as football, basketball and baseball just are not for him; however, Hall has proven to be a key member of the Bulldogs Archery team and he says, “I had shot before and enjoyed it.

“I could do okay in it because archery is a very process-based sport and doesn’t require me to be super graceful. I’m not that coordinated, so I’ve avoided other sports.

“Archery is certainly my favorite sport to compete in. I enjoy the feeling of knowing you shot well during a tournament. The rush is amazing.”

As for the challenges to this sport, Hall says, “Archery is 90% mental. It’s easy to get in your own head when competing. Archery has a big mental component to it, so I think the ability to trust yourself is crucial.”

When considering the keys to his success, Hall says, “My genuine desire to improve and ability to listen to my coaches has been the biggest factor in being able to shoot better.”

CJHS Archery Head Coach Chelsi Leggett appreciates Hall’s willingness to be a leader while also adapting his own approach. “Liam did an outstanding job stepping up this past year as a junior and helping lead our team and not just vocally, but by his actions, as well,” she says.

“He swapped shooting hands at the end of his sophomore year and worked exceptionally hard retraining his body to shoot on the opposite side. He never complained but worked hard for progress and still helped his teammates out.

“Liam has stayed positive, accepted coaching advice and didn’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Score doesn’t determine who you are as a person. You’re bigger than a number. His character and actions were on point.”

Hall is grateful for the instruction that helped him improve, and he says, “I took a break from archery in seventh and eighth grade. When I started back, I had a lot of difficulty.

“During my freshman and sophomore years, I struggled. But at the end of my sophomore year, my coach helped me make a crazy change, and I’ve been shooting better ever since. That makes me proud.”

While he enjoys archery a great deal, Hall understands the importance of excelling in his studies and says, “School is my job, so to say. Sports are a good way to have fun and help make life more enjoyable. But it’s important for me to work toward my future in college.”

Coach Leggett says, “At the archery range, Liam never complains about overload stress or frustration. He works hard when he’s present and tries to apply any pointers given to him.

“I have a lot of respect for Liam, not only for his hard work but the loyalty and respect he has for his coaches. His positivity and hard work earned a spot on the state roster last March. He’s a great example of how hard work pays off.”