Olympian archer keeps Bible verses in her quiver

Our take: Olympic archer Jennifer Nichols keeps more than arrows in her quiver as she trains for the 2012 London Olympics. Nichols, who has been shooting since she was 12, is a devout Christian and keeps a stock of Bible verses nearby to encourage her as she prepares to compete.

With a tiny book of Bible verses in her quiver and an Olympic caliber bow drawn between her hands, American archer Jennifer Nichols, 28, recites some inspiring words quietly to herself.

"Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."

Instead of war, Nichols, a devout Christian, is training for Olympic gold, which eluded the Texas A&M student at the 2008 Beijing Games, where she placed 24th.

Nichols, who will compete in her third Games, qualified for the Olympic women's team event with Khatuna Lorig and Miranda Leek in June. The Americans had to win three consecutive matches at the final Olympic qualifier to claim a spot in London.

Nichols of Cheyenne, Wyo., will marry her fianc on Sept. 1, but not before she catches up on The Hunger Games trilogy and Googles some guy named Tim Tebow.

Read more about Jennifer Nichols on USA Today.