Nichols keeps Olympic archery, marriage in perspective

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LONDON - Putting together a wedding is usually hectic, but Jennifer Nichols and Chris Hardy's planning process has been unusually challenging.

While he was busy with law school finals, she handled many of the details. When his load lightened at the end of the semester, she had quite the trying schedule that took her thoughts off flowers and bridesmaids and such.

She had to prepare for this little thing called the Olympic Games.

So while Hardy interviewed cake bakers - using a "point and pick" method, he joked (at least he'd better be joking) - Nichols shot arrows.

While Hardy narrowed the list and chose a caterer last week, Nichols shot arrows.

Often for seven hours a day, she practiced for Olympic competition.

Third time no charm

Jennifer Nichols, a two-time member of the U.S. Olympic archery team 2008 courtesy photo Jennifer Nichols, a two-time member of the U.S. Olympic archery team 2008 courtesy photo Photo: handout Photo: handout Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Nichols keeps Olympic archery, marriage in perspective 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Finally, and sadly, Nichols and her husband-to-be, a fellow Texas A&M Aggie, can tackle preparations for their Sept. 1 nuptials together because Nichols' quest for an Olympic medal ended with a loss to Mongolia's Bishindee Urantungalag on Tuesday at Lord's Cricket Ground.

A talented archer, Nichols, who was competing in her third Olympics, is capable of winning a medal. It just wasn't meant to be.

"It's a little bit sad that it's all over after working so long for this, but it's a season of life," Nichols, 28, said. "Even though the Olympic Games are an incredible experience, I definitely think there are other highlights in life."

A devout evangelical Christian, Nichols never appears to waver from an inner strength derived from her faith. Minutes before she competes, she sits peacefully near the competition area reading from her Bible. Poise and prayer are her constant companions.

Her mission is to glorify God, she says, but she isn't so sure that will require her to make another run at Olympic glory. She hints her archery days, at least in international competition, are over.

"When I get married, I want to be completely focused on my marriage and my future family, and I want to be able to turn the devotion and commitment I've had to archery fully to my family and my marriage," Nichols said. "I don't know if I'm able to do that if my attentions are divided. I want my heart to be at home."

After three Olympiads, the Kansas City, Mo., native, who turned professional in 2001 at 17, seems prepared to move on to the next stage in life.

"We're not saying a definite yes (to retirement) or a definite no yet," said Hardy, who attends South Texas School of Law in Houston. "We're going to see what the Lord has in store for us and where He takes our lives."

The past few months have undoubtedly been a grind, but Nichols isn't the complaining type.

She sees such challenges as opportunities for growth.

Different challenge

"It's not so much that the wedding planning is hard. It's knowing my life is going to change here pretty soon," she said. "It's a different mindset.

"Sometimes it has been a struggle being so incredibly focused on archery and my goals at the Games but then also being incredibly focused on growing and developing my relationship with my fiancé.

"So it's been rough, but at the same time God has grown me through it. When we're stretched at any point in our lives, it's always character-building."

Tuesday was an interesting and exciting day for Nichols, who was also knocked out of the tournament in the second round in Beijing.

She had a stirring comeback to beat Chekrovolu Swuro of India in a shoot-off, an anxiety-producing, one-shot test of nerves. Swuro led 5-3 (the first player to six wins) through four sets and was ahead by a point with one arrow to go. All she needed was a tie to eliminate Nichols.

Stirring comeback

But Nichols was perfect with a 10 to put the pressure on, and Swuro cracked, scoring only a 6 to surrender the two points to Nichols. Both players scored 9s on the playoff shot, but Nichols' arrow was closer to center for the victory.

The second match played out in opposite fashion. Nichols was up 4-2 before Urantungalag posted three 9s and two 10s in her final five arrows to claim the last two sets.

"Just as your confidence is rising and you're feeling like, 'I got my shots down; I've figured out the wind,' it can be taken out from under you just like that," Nichols said. "That's archery."

The wild, dramatic swings of fortune in the sport contrast the steady demeanor it takes to excel in it. Nichols did that enough to be the top U.S. female archer for much of the previous decade.

If this is the last we'll see of her in competition, she leaves as a champion despite never winning an Olympic medal.

"As long as she was out there having fun and doing her best, I'm as proud of her as I would be if she won the gold medal," Hardy said. "She has had a lot of irons in the fire. It's been a balancing act. But we've made it through, and we've been blessed."

jerome.solomon@chron.com twitter.com/JeromeSolomon