CELEBRATION, Fla. — Josh Deering has only competed in archery for a paltry three months, but already he is starting to make a name for himself in the highly competitive sport.

The Maple City, Mich., native began practicing his bowhunting skills with his father and friends at age 10.

Now 25, the confident Deering is leaving his backyard and entering the unfamiliar territory of competitive archery.

He is one of 16 men and women participating in the Archery event, a test of skill and accuracy for competitors under pressure, at the Great Outdoor Games, July 7-10, at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

"My friend convinced me to try out for the Great Outdoor Games," Deering said. "He told me I had a lot of potential."

Now, Deering is taking that potential and molding it into a passion.

Humble and unpretentious, Deering finished first this April in the last qualifying event for the Great Outdoor Games. It was only the second competition in which he had ever participated.

In March, Deering placed fourth in his first archery competition. He and Randy Hendrix, last year's Great Outdoor Games Archery gold medalist, were the only competitors to shoot a perfect round in the competition.

"I was in shock after I shot that perfect round," Deering said. "I was just in awe to be shooting in the same arena as Randy Hendrix. It was really an honor."

Hendrix is a veteran of professional archery and Deering tries to keep pace, but he must balance a full-time job with archery practice.

Deering works for his father's tree service company and also manages his own tree transplanting business. Without much free time for training, Deering constructed an archery range at his office. Whenever he finds a free moment, he grabs a bow and arrow and heads for target practice.

Deering hopes the hard work will pay off. He is eager to be considered a worthy competitor by his experienced counterparts. Plus, he wouldn't mind actually beating them, either.

"I'm watching out for Hendrix, Wayne Endicott, Randy Ulmer and Jackie Caudle," said Deering. "Really, anybody can win … but if I win, then it will be an amazing accomplishment in my first year of competing."

Fans can catch the Great Outdoor Games live July 7-10, 2005 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex and Tenoroc Shooting Sports and Training Facility.

Admission to the 2005 Great Outdoor Games at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex is $5 per person per day, with children 10 and under free. Admission to Tenoroc Shooting Sports and Training Facility is free. Re-entry is allowed each day.

Tickets can be purchased on ticketmaster.com through June 26 and purchased at the door the day of the event.

The Games will be aired on ESPN and ABC Sports July 14-17, 2005. For more information visit www.greatoutdoorgames.com.