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Loofboro, who is currently ranked fourth in the USA Archery national ranking system, shoots for two local teams, the Beloit League’s Rock River Academy and the North Central Elite Archers, in addition to the U.S. Archery Team

"He's the youngest kid ever to be on the team," Mason’s father, Jared Loofboro, confirmed. "Not a lot of people could say they did that at 12."

Loofboro began shooting seven years ago, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Parker Loofboro, who also competed at a high level.

"I was little back then. I went to tournaments with him and I was just kind of inspired," Mason recalls. "And then I tried it, and then it turned out I was pretty good at it."

Parker, who mentored Mason, expressed deep pride in his brother’s accomplishment.

"I always knew he could do it, but I guess I didn't know he would want to take it this far," Parker said. He called making the U15 team at age 12 "definitely a really big accomplishment."

Earning the spot on the team opens up for Mason access to benefits including team uniforms and sponsorships.

Competitive archery is a year-round commitment that requires travel and expensive equipment, his father said. A bow can cost $5,000 to $7,000, and a dozen arrows can cost $300 to $400. So far, his father said, he has about 10 sponsors.

The Loofboro family has embraced the travel, turning national events into family trips.

"We shot the Vegas tournament, we went and saw the Hoover Dam, and we went and saw the Grand Canyon," Jared said.

Mason has also competed in New Mexico, Kentucky, and Iowa, with plans to visit Pennsylvania and Nebraska this year.

Mason’s training schedule is intense. He practices six days a week for at least two hours a day, often hammering 100 to 200 arrows daily. Meanwhile, he balances other athletic commitments, playing both baseball and football.

The compound bow Mason shoots weighs about 55 pounds.

"Imagine doing 200 reps of 55-pound weights. It is very labor-intensive. You really have to practice a lot to condition your body to get to that point," Parker said.

For Mason, the most challenging element of the sport is the mental part.

"Let's say I have one bad shot, right? And I start going down... it's the getting back up," he said.

"You got to be able to say, hey, all right, that was one arrow. The next one's going to be better,” Jared agreed.

U.S. Archery Team members are eligible for international teams, a future which Mason said appeals to him.

"It would be cool to compete in other countries," he said.

Jared confirmed the ultimate goal: the U.S. Olympic team. Just this year, the Olympics were opened to compound bow competition.

"It's a team event right now. We're hoping they open it up to individuals. And if that comes, if he keeps it up, he could be in the running in a couple of years."

Mason, whose key takeaways from the sport are patience and focus, advises aspiring archers to persevere.

"Don't give up, even if you have, like, bad days. And practice a lot."