U.S. Compound Men and Women to Shoot for Gold
OutdoorHub 07.07.11
Torino, ITALY – Showing the mettle that has consistently kept them at the top of the compound game internationally, the U.S. women’s and men’s compound teams came out swinging today at the World Archery Championships in Torino, Italy, and both shot their way into their respective gold medal matches.
Taking to the field at the 18th century hunting residence of Supingi in Torino, the men’s team of Reo Wilde (Pocatello, ID), Jesse Broadwater (Jennerstown, PA) and Braden Gellenthien (Woodbridge, VA) opened their day with a winning score in their 1/8 match versus Spain, which they took with a 237-231 win, tying the World Record set by the U.S. in Antalya, Turkey last month.
Determined to outshoot themselves once again, the team posted a near-perfect 239 in their quarterfinal match against France, setting a new World Record and advancing to the semifinals. In their last match of the day, the U.S. team remained solid enough to defeat Korea, 233-227, punching their ticket to the gold medal match against Denmark later this week, leaving Korea and Canada to shoot for bronze.
The U.S. women’s team of Jamie Van Natta (Toledo, OH), Erika Anschutz (Dumas, TX) and Christie Colin (Ransomville, NY) was equally ready for competition today, starting with a 229-217 victory against the team from Spain in their 1/8 match. In the quarterfinals, Italy presented stiff competition, but the U.S. answered the 226 from Italy with their own 228, advancing to the semis.
Facing Venezuela, the women displayed the strong shooting that has earned them the number one World Ranking, shooting a 230 to clinch their berth to the gold medal final, versus Venezuela’s 225. With this win, they will face Iran later this week, while Venezuela will meet Mexico in the bronze medal match.
The competition continues tomorrow and throughout the week at the World Archery Championships, with individual eliminations beginning tomorrow, and team and individual finals later this week.
Team USA is being supported by a full staff at this event, including National Head Coach KiSik Lee, USA Archery Resident Athlete Administrator/Assistant Coach Guy Krueger, Coach Michael Usherenko, Coach Mel Nichols, and Team Leader Cindy Bevilacqua. USA Archery thanks the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Easton Foundations for their support of the U.S. teams at this event.
According to World Archery, more than 600 archers from close to 90 countries are shooting for world titles, medals and Olympic berths at the World Archery Championships this week. For complete results from today’s matches, visit http://www.archery.org.
Contact:
Teresa Iaconi (860) 904-0497 or tiaconi@usarchery.org
