21-year-old archer looks to make her mark at first Olympics: Racing Toward Paris

[KARAH RUCKER]

FINALLY THIS MORNING – A 21-YEAR-OLD ARCHER IS LOOKING TO MAKE HER MARK AT HER FIRST OLYMPIC GAMES AS A MEMBER OF TEAM USA. HERE NOW IS SENIOR PRODUCER BROCK KOLLER WITH TODAY’S “RACING TOWARD PARIS” STORY.

[BROCK KOLLER]

IN ARCHERY – TO REACH YOUR TARGET — YOU NEED ACCURACY. FOCUS. PRECISION.

FOR SAN DIEGO’S CATALINA GNORIEGA  SHE IS PRECISELY ON TARGET

– HER TRAJECTORY TAKING HER TO PARIS FOR HER FIRST OLYMPIC GAMES.

CATALINA GNORIEGA | OLYMPIAN

“It’s a dream come true. There are so many people who dream of that for so long and work so hard. It’s really such a good feeling. It’s a dream come true to be able to say I made it. I’m going to go compete there.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

FIRST PICKING UP THE BOW AND ARROW AT AGE 12 –

GNORIEGA  GRAVITATED TO THE INDEPENDENCE THE SPORT PROVIDES AN ATHLETE – THE OPPORTUNITY TO HONE YOUR CRAFT WHILE STAYING IN THE ZONE.

JUST ARROWS. A BOW. THE ARCHER. ALL COMING TOGETHER FOR A UNITED PURPOSE.

CATALINA GNORIEGA | OLYMPIAN

“It’s hard to pinpoint what it is exactly, but I like that it’s individual and like I’m able to focus on myself, I was always like that, especially when I was a kid, that drew me in. All I had to do was show up and shoot.”

“And it’s a 10. Nice shooting”

[KARAH RUCKER]

NOW AT AGE 21 WHETHER SHE’S COMPETING AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR PART OF A TEAM

GNORIEGA WILL HAVE HER PARENTS THERE IN PARIS TO CHEER HER ON

THE ONES WHO SUPPORTED HER THROUGH IT ALL – AS SHE PROUDLY REPRESENTS HER MEXICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE AS A MEMBER OF TEAM USA.

CATALINA GNORIEGA | OLYMPIAN

“It’s crazy. It’s such an honor. It’s crazy to think that I’m on the same team as someone like Simone Biles and these other people who are incredible – I’m on that same team. That’s such an incredible feeling. I just can’t believe it.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

AND SHE’S NOW ON THE HUNT FOR HER NEXT TARGET – OLYMPIC MEDALS.

CATALINA GNORIEGA | OLYMPIAN

“The goal would be to get medals…

But overall I just want to go have fun. Do what I know how to do. Just shoot and trust myself and enjoy it because it hopefully it’s not just once, but it’s kind of like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I just want to enjoy it.”