Brain Su shot the highest score in West Regionals in 2019, made the All-West team twice, and has made the All American list three times. Although these achievements are extraordinary, Brian is most proud of two Club Sport achievements that didn't have to do with earning a metal. Brain Su tells us his story.

I grew up in Santa Barbara, a sunny beach town in southern California. In my childhood I dabbled in a couple sports like basketball, volleyball, and tennis, but in junior high I found rhythm in martial arts training. I preferred martial arts over traditional team sports because it allowed me both the meditative serenity of solo katas and the vibrant energy of group sparring. I think my valuation of both solo and group practice is what led me, in part, to archery.

I was elated to be accepted to Stanford. The combined allure of academic reputation, temperate climate, and in-state convenience was more than enough to get me hooked. Though I was unable to attend my Admit Weekend, I visited on my own later and attended my first Stanford Archery beginner practice. Once attending Stanford, I decided to study Mechanical Engineering. 

Stanford Archery is an amazing community both for social atmosphere and for serious competition. I remember the team being so welcoming and eager to help when I joined in the fall of my freshman year. What I really love about the team though, and why I’ve stayed, is that the team is really whatever you want it to be. Want to hang out and chat while slinging some arrows? Sure! Want to train hard and win some tournaments? We can help you do that too!

It’s relieving to have a refuge from academic stress, even if it is a quaint, muddy little triangular field out by the corner of Serra St. and the El Camino. Seriously though, it’s the comforting knowledge that I have a tight knit team to support me, and a range to head to whenever I need a break. We do have required tasks, practice, and responsibilities that can sometimes hit at a bad time in the quarter but honestly there really isn’t anything too difficult or burdensome. The club is accessible, both financially and experience-wise, with a great competitive spirit and social vibe. That said, it would be great to have some form of an indoor practice range since after drainage work the range now floods and is frequently unusable each winter, which is the Indoor Archery season.

I’ve earned many archery medals over the past several years, including shooting the highest qualifying score at West Regionals 2019, making the All-West team twice, and making the All-American Academic List three times. That said, my two favorite club sports achievements are not these medals. Athletically, I am just as proud of my improvement since qualifying at the bottom at Nationals my freshman year as of the awards themselves. After my experience this past year as the officer handling tournament logistics, I really feel like my Stanford Archery journey has come full circle. I got to witness the joy and excitement of team members competing at tournaments without having to think about food, travel and lodging, which grew their love for the sport just as I had for years prior. 

As a Stanford student, I’m not really sure what my greatest achievements are, especially considering the wealth of talent around me. I do know that the hardest part about being Stanford Student is balancing work, play, and sleep. This is really not exclusive to Stanford because I think students across the globe experience this same thing.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken from the Stanford Archery Club is the importance of “paying it forward.” Though I may be an archer for life, I am only a Stanford Archer for a few years. As an underclassman, I built the vast majority of my shooting form under the eye and advice of upperclassmen and one of my biggest regrets is that I am a worse coach than I am an archer. I want to give a special thanks to Katie Novotny ‘17 and Mark Holmstrom ‘17. Thanks for teaching me all of your good habits, and some of the bad ones as well. The two of you get at least...40% credit for where I am now.

 Stanford Archery has been an amazing experience through and through, and is an inseparable element of my Stanford experience. To my current teammates, I hope we maintain this perfect mix of competitive camaraderie. To potential future Stanford Archers, I hope you at least dip your feet in this wonderful sport and allow us the opportunity to reel you in.

- Brian Su, 21'