Overcoming the Odds

Archery coaches throughout the state preach that it is a sport "everyone can do".

As long as the athlete is willing to put in the work, and time required to improve their accuracy on the range, nothing else matters. This is especially true for one Fleming County Panther, who fires his bow toward the target with his mouth.

Chase Bretz, a freshman at Fleming County High School, was born with cerebral palsy, a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance. According to Bretz's mother, Heather Bretz, as a baby, Chase was not expected to be able to walk.

Despite the odds, and through countless hours of physical therapy with the Shriners Hospital, Bretz can do several of the things written off from him at birth. Despite all his progress however, Bretz still lacks the use of his right arm.

Chase had already tried out for other sports, but unfortunately was unable to make the roster. His desire to wear a school uniform and compete remained strong however as he continued to look for a spot on a team's roster. His interest in archery came about when he saw his older brother, Logan Bretz get involved with the sport at Mason County. Head coach of the Royals' archery team, Bridgett White was coaching her team, while Chase and his mother observed.

"Chase told me he wanted to shoot archery, and I kinda told him that it was a two handed sport and I guess Bridgett overheard me say that so she made him a mouth tab so he could shoot at the next practice." said Heather.

The Bretz's eventually moved to Fleming County, where Heather is now the head coach of the Panthers archery team. Chase and his brother have been consistent members of the roster at Fleming County, as they both continue to improve their skills on the range. The Panthers practice three nights a week, with Chase sending arrows toward targets alongside his peers and teammates.

"The only difference with him is that I stand beside him and load his arrow onto the string, where he has to hold the bow with his good arm." said coach Bretz.

Throughout his three years competing, Chase has consistently improved and gotten more accurate, eventually becoming one of the teams' top archers. Consistently shooting in the high 260s and mid 270s, Chase often leads the team in tournaments, and is almost guaranteed to place high among his peers. In the team's most recent competition, the Bourbon County Classic on January 12, Bretz brought in a 276 to be the second best Fleming County boys archer in the competition, right behind his brother, ranking 16th out of all high school boys in the field, and third out of all freshmen.

Chase shoots his bow with a mouth tab, drawing the string back with the tab clinched between his back teeth. The bow is set with a 16 pound draw, a weight that he feels comfortable shooting, but remains impressive to others around him.

"What he can do with his mouth, with his bow is just incredible." said coach Bretz, "His dad and others have tried to draw it back with their teeth and just can't. His teeth actually get loose after he shoots, because how how tightly he has to grip the tab. They tighten back up shortly after."

Archers send 30 arrows down the range at each competition they compete in. Consistent strain on the teeth and jaw works it's toll on Chase, but his love for the sport and the ability to compete outweighs the short-lived discomfort that follows soon after.

Chase Bretz is one of many archers in the state of Kentucky, and far beyond that has overcome tremendous odds to be where he is today. Throughout the rest of the archery season, and the rest of his high school career, Bretz will continue to improve even further, and enjoy practicing alongside his friends as he grows and matures.

"We shoot against kids in wheel chairs, we recently shot against a kid who was legally blind, that just goes to show you that really anyone can shoot archery." said coach Bretz.

What Chase has been able to achieve, and what others have been able to accomplish is nothing short of remarkable. Athletes like Chase who have overcome countless odds and obstacles are a reminder that regardless of what is in front of you, you can do whatever you set you mind to as long as you put in the work.

Archery coaches have it right. It doesn't matter who you are, if you want to shoot archery, you can.