Long County archer Linda Stephens made her professional debut during the National Field Archery Association’s Indoor Championship last week in Louisville, Ky.  
Stephens scored 576 out of 600, which was good enough for first place in the Professional Female Freestyle Limited Recurve division. On Saturday, she scored a personal best, putting up a tally of 293 out of a possible 300 points.  
Stephens, who is attending Georgia Southern University, trains at home in Ludowici and in Lavonia with her coach, Rodney Estrada. In 2010, the Long County High School alum was a key member of the 4-H archery team that won a state title and finished third in the nation.
Stephens is attempting to become a member of the U.S. Olympic Archery Team, with hopes of competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.