When Reily first wrapped her small hands around a borrowed bow at a church summer camp, something clicked—quietly but powerfully. She did not say much then. In fact, she barely spoke at all. But her eyes lit up, and her posture shifted. That quiet moment, in a sea of rowdy children, marked the beginning of a journey that would stretch across years, miles, and skill levels all the way to the national stage.
What began as childhood curiosity has become a defining part of her life, one that has shaped her character, strengthened her family bonds, and given her a voice both on and off the archery range.
After that first experience at Central’s sports camp, Reily could not get the archery off her mind. But at seven years old, she was still too young to join 4-H and had to wait until the following year to enroll.
When she finally joined the Brazos County 4-H Archery Club in third grade, she was ready to dive in. But as a left-eye dominant archer, equipment options were limited, especially for beginners.
That’s when her grandfather, Jerry LeBlanc—affectionately known as Paw Paw—stepped in.
“My girl wanted to do archery for a little over a year after getting to try it at camp,” LeBlanc said. “When she joined 4-H in third grade, there weren’t many left-handed compound bows available to borrow. I felt the best thing I could do was get her a bow and her own equipment so she’d have every opportunity to succeed and enjoy the sport without worrying whether there’d be one for her at practice.”
Reily soon began working with archery coach Tracey Sadler, who immediately saw something special in the quiet, determined kid.
“I saw a shy little girl who had a lot of potential,” Sadler said. “I meet a lot of shy kids who lack confidence, and I always think, if I can get them shooting a bow, I can really make a good impact on their life. Reily needed confidence, and I knew archery would build that, along with teaching her how to overcome obstacles and improve focus. With those attributes, she could do and become whatever she wanted.”
With a bow of her own and unwavering family support, Reily’s passion took off. She moved quickly from casual practice to serious involvement, first through 4-H and later with the Brazos County Archery Club, where she began participating in ASA 3D tournaments.
“I kind of just tried to get involved everywhere I could,” Reily said. “The more I learned and competed, the more I fell in love with the sport and the community around it.”
Through it all, archery did more than improve her aim; it helped shape her as a person. When she started, Reily was soft-spoken and shy. But as she found community and confidence within the sport, she came out of her shell.
“When I first started archery, I wouldn’t make a peep,” Reily said. “I was quiet all the time. But after forming that community with all those great people, I became more conversational and outspoken. It really helped me grow as a person.”
That growth did not go unnoticed, especially by those who have coached and mentored her along the way.
“Reily has developed into a smart, easygoing, confident leader that I’d be proud to follow,” Sadler said. “She encourages others to reach higher, go further and faster, and yet she’s remained humble.”
Reily’s mother, Rebecca Dominy, noticed the growth too. She said archery helped Reily develop a great skill as well as a toolkit for managing focus and stress—skills that transferred into many other areas of her life.
“Archery taught Reily how to slow down and focus on her breathing,” Dominy said. “It’s helped her relax and develop the ability to concentrate on one thing at a time while tuning out distractions.”
Her grandfather has witnessed that transformation firsthand, observing Reily step into her confidence with each passing year.
“Watching this sweet girl grow and push herself out of her comfort zone has been such a gift,” LeBlanc said. “It’s helped Reily become more confident—not just in archery, but in everyday life as well.”
Now, after nearly a decade of dedication, Reily’s hard work has led to a moment she once only dreamed of: a spot on the National 4-H Shooting Sports Team for compound archery.
“All the states in the U.S. send their best archers,” Reily said. “I’m one of four people in my division going to the state games in Nebraska to represent Texas, which is just crazy to me.”
For her, the moment is more than a personal achievement—it’s the realization of a goal she’s been chasing since childhood. She’s especially proud to represent Texas, whose team stands out in more ways than one.
“The Texas team wears a shirt that looks like the Texas flag,” Reily said. “Half is blue with a giant star, and the other half is red and white. It’s pretty cool. I’ve wanted to do this forever.”
That long-held dream became a reality that brought just as much joy to her coach as it did to Reily.
“I was super proud of her,” Sadler said. “Making the national team takes goal setting, dedication, patience, and hard work. She has worked hard to overcome many obstacles and earned her place on the team.”
Her mother has been by her side through every practice, tournament, and milestone.
“I’m incredibly proud of Reily for making the national team,” Dominy said. “It’s a goal we’ve talked about since she was 8 years old. Watching her chase that dream over the past ten years has been both fun and deeply rewarding.”
The journey has always been a family affair. From the very beginning, Reily’s grandfather played a key role in encouraging her passion, while her mom later stepped up as the 4-H club manager and coach to help keep their local chapter going strong. The values of the 4-H Shooting Sports Program—family involvement, personal growth, and community support—are deeply woven into Reily’s story.
“This Pawpaw has been so blessed to be part of this girl’s life journey,” LeBlanc said. “She’s one of the kindest and sweetest people you could ever meet.”
Reily and her PawPaw have made a lifetime of memories together. From deer hunting to road trips, for him, each mile traveled has been a front-row seat to watching her grow into someone who gives her heart to everything she does.
“We’ve traveled all around the state for her tournaments,” he said. “San Antonio, San Angelo, Bay City, even Paris in the freezing cold rain—and I’ve loved every second of it.”
But Reily’s drive and creativity does not stop at archery; they appear in every part of her life.
“She’s great at sewing and photography, and she’s a very talented artist,” LeBlanc added. “She’s even a champion journalist. I’m one proud Pawpaw.”
That pride will be on full display this June in Grand Island, Nebraska, where another chapter in Reily’s story begins. LeBlanc will be right there with her, road-tripping to nationals for a chance to watch his granddaughter compete and simply enjoy time together.
“To be able to go on this road trip with my sweet girl and watch her finish what she started back in third grade—it’s a great blessing to this old PawPaw,” LeBlanc said. “I’m looking forward to spending time with her between shooting events, maybe grabbing a steak—she loves a good steak—and I know she always has room for dessert. The fact that she’s on the team representing our home state of Texas makes me even more proud.”
As nationals approach, Reily is training harder than ever. She practices multiple times a week and has been adjusting to a new bow sight. Still, not everything has gone smoothly.
“I recently found out that my backup bow was lost in transit with USPS,” Reily said. “That bow had a lot of sentimental value, and it breaks my heart to know that it is probably gone forever.”
Thankfully, Live Oak Archery, her local archery shop in Bryan, stepped in to help her find a replacement.
“Live Oak has been amazing,” Reily said. “We’ve worked closely with them, and they’ve really supported me on my way to nationals.”
Now, as Reily’s senior year draws to a close, her PawPaw finds himself savoring these moments more than ever.
“I can’t believe how fast the time has flown,” he said. “Now, her senior year is almost over, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Reily as she starts this new chapter. Gig ’em!”
After nationals, Reily plans to attend Texas A&M University, where she’ll major in psychology with the goal of becoming a child psychologist. She also plans to join the university’s archery team and continue the sport she loves.
“I’m happy I get to continue doing archery outside 4-H,” Reily said. “It’s been such a big part of my life, and I’m excited to keep growing, competing, and connecting with others who love it as much as I do.”
As her family prepares for the big trip, Dominy reflects on how much the sport and these shared experiences have meant.
“We’ve devoted so much of the past ten years to archery,” she said. “It’s incredible to see it all come together on the biggest stage in 4-H archery. I can’t believe how fast time has gone; I’m just so grateful to have been part of the journey.”
Sadler believes Reily’s success is no accident; it’s the result of steady habits, focus, and learning from every challenge.
“Archery teaches focus, how to recognize and accept errors but stay focused on the right things,” she said. “Through this routine, confidence builds, self-esteem grows, and success follows. These habits lead to success in every part of life.”
It’s a mindset that Reily has fully embraced, and one that continues to inspire those around her.
“Reily is the epitome of success—stick with your goals, don’t let anything stop you, develop confidence, believe in yourself, and stay humble,” Sadler said. “Recognize your value is not in what others can or cannot do, but in what God has done for you and what He has planned for you. He put that dream in your heart for a reason. Don’t quit on it.”
Reily’s story reflects everything the 4-H Shooting Sports Program stands for: safety, responsibility, self-discipline, and community. Through archery, she has become not only a skilled competitor but also a mentor and a role model.
“Listen to your coaches. Even if it doesn’t sound like it should work—it does,” Reily said. “Be coachable. And be kind. Character is a huge part of archery.”
It’s that very character, her mom says, that defines Reily far beyond the sport.
“What I love most about Reily is how beautifully well-rounded she is,” Dominy said. “She leads with kindness, thoughtfulness, and an inner strength that’s rare. And beyond her incredible achievements in archery, she’s also an artist, a scholar, and a truly creative soul. She shines in every way.”
For Reily, every arrow released is more than just a shot at the target—it’s a reflection of who she’s become. From a quiet little girl at summer camp to a national competitor and future child psychologist, her journey has been one of courage, conviction, and quiet strength.
And as she stands on the line—eyes focused, breath steady—she’s not just aiming for the bullseye; she’s aiming for a future she has been building all along, one arrow at a time.
