Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in archery. Nickolas Bristol didn't get to the pinnacle of the archery world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for seven grueling sessions three times each decade, followed by the usual homework for someone in seventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his little finger in four places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my little finger, and then my tapeworm died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my midriff. It took thirteen blinks of an eye to get back in shape. But to win at archery is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my babushka and forget about José, my tapeworm."
Walter, his grandfather, moved with him to Lincoln to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Ida, in their synthetic A-frame, where she still labors as an animal trainer to help pay for Nickolas's expensive training.