In just 18 months, Julia Cook has faced eye surgery, earned her driver’s license, represented the United States on the world stage, helped bring home a team gold medal, made the USAT for the second year in a row, and graduated with her associate degree before finishing high school. To her mom, Wendi, those accomplishments are more than a list of milestones - they are a powerful reminder of perseverance and focus.
Julia’s journey took an unexpected turn in 2024, when one of her eyes began drifting off center and staying that way for periods of time. She could see what each eye was looking at, and while it did not affect her shooting, it disrupted daily life.
She bumped into walls, dealt with headaches and became nauseated. After a visit to her eye doctor led to a specialist, Julia learned she would need surgery on both eyes to remove and reattach the muscles behind them.
The decision came with serious possibilities, including the risk of blindness in one or both eyes. Julia and her family talked through what it could mean for her future - whether she would be able to get her driver’s license or ever shoot again.
But Julia knew she did not want to continue living the way she had been. After careful consideration, the family moved forward.
"Everyone has struggles, but I didn’t want to let that get in the way of what I wanted to do," Julia said, before adding with a perspective which highlighted her resilience, "There are always different ways of doing things. For example, if I went blind, I could still shoot VI (visually impaired)."
On New Year’s Eve 2024, Julia’s surgery was completed successfully. Less than two weeks after eye surgery, Julia picked up her bow again. Soon after, she won the state indoor championship. By April, she had earned a place on the U.S. Team for the World Archery Youth Championships, to be held in Winnipeg, Canada later in 2025, where she would compete in compound U18.
She competed throughout last summer, made the USAT, and, in August, got her driver’s license. Before the month was over, she traveled to Winnipeg for the World Archery Youth Championships, where she helped the compound U18 women to team win gold.
That success came with sacrifice. While Julia was competing in Winnipeg, she missed senior traditions including Chalk Your Spot, Senior Sunrise and the first day of her senior year. A swimmer as well as an archer, she qualified for the UIL (University Interscholastic League) Region Swim Meet but chose to compete at USA Archery Indoor Nationals instead.
When senior prom arrived, Julia was at the 2026 Easton Foundations Gator Cup, where she finished fourth in compound U21 women. She had already been inducted into the National Honor Society, and in early May she graduated with her associate degree before graduating from high school later that month.
Soon afterward, she took silver at the USA Archery Field Nationals and qualified second in the U.S. Team Trials for the 2026 World Archery Field Championships.
Julia continued, "Archery has pushed me forward. It gave, and gives, me something to look forward to - USAT tournaments, Winnipeg, my friends, shooting for Texas A&M, and competing in the World Archery Field Championship."
Through it all, Julia still makes time to volunteer at church. As mom Wendi looks back on the end of her 18-year-old daughter’s senior year, she sees a young woman who has met challenge after challenge with determination.
“I look at her in awe,” Wendi shared. “How has she been able to persevere and accomplish all that she has? She inspires me to be more.”
Those inspired by stories like Julia’s, and interested in trying archery for themselves, becoming a member of USA Archery is a great place to start. Membership connects archers of all ages and abilities with certified coaches, local clubs, events and a nationwide community passionate about the sport.
