Slippery Rock resident Heather Stewart stands next to targets at the Pennsylvania State Archery Association Indoor Championships last month. Submitted photo

Practice makes perfect. Literally, for Slippery Rock resident Heather Stewart.

At Pennsylvania State Archery Association Indoor Championships from March 28-30, Stewart became the first woman to shoot a flawless 600 in the unlimited division, which allows for attachments such as scopes. The event was held at the Lancaster Archery Academy.

Stewart, 47, has been shooting archery since she was 12. She’s competed in multiple state and international events and previously set the women’s record at the PSAA Indoors by shooting a 599 in 2018.

“I’ve done it before, obviously many times, in practice or other competitions, but never at this particular one,” Stewart said of hitting 600. “I started my practice year actually very, very early. I started in October of 2024 to start for my indoor season, that doesn’t really start until January. I was a bit ahead of the game.”

Stewart shot at least four days a week in preparation. She said she’s worked to be “process-focused and staying in the moment and not trying to look too far ahead.”

That approach — taking it one arrow at a time — helped Stewart hit the mark with each of her 60 arrows. She encouraged herself to remain steady throughout.

“I have a process that I go through with every arrow,” Stewart said. “But, it’s more of, like, I focus on the ‘X’ of the target and I run through that process. If I’m having any self-doubt, I just bring myself back in (and say), ‘You’ve got this. Stay strong. Focus on the center.’”