DECATUR, Ala. -- The 2022 JOAD National Target Championship kicked off with 785 archers from around the country competing. The first 72 arrows of qualification started as a heat wave gripped most of the nation but overcast skies and a light breeze provided some much-needed relief.
Savannah O’Donohue shooting with the compound women's U15 earned her gold pin after shooting a 715 this morning. “I’ve been working on this pin for a long time. It feels amazing to earn my pin at outdoor nationals!” said O’Donohue who is sitting on top of the highly competitive division. “This is my second time here and I just love shooting in Alabama.”
Shooting compound women's U18, National Champion Liko Arreola broke a 50-meter world record by a single point with a 702 (pending verification). Arreola’s family travels from Maui to shoot archery events around the continental U.S.
Amongst the recurve U18, Christian Stoddard is qualifying high with a 669. “It’s surprisingly good conditions out here. There’s a little bit of funky wind but everyone is still shooting well,” said Stoddard. “Today has been amazing. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been training at the Olympic Training Center and all that work is starting to come together here.”
After a brief weather delay, the afternoon session continued to shoot under the lights as the sun slipped below the horizon and the temperatures cooled off.
Barebow archer, Julia Bowen, is thrilled to be shooting the event. “I love it. This is the best thing I’ve ever gotten to do! I get to hang out with other people and meet new friends,” she smiled.
Leading the compound U15, is Levi Latimer from Georgia who had a great round scoring a 713. Latimer explained, “First round didn’t go so well, but after that, I found my groove and finally blew the center out of my target. I love shooting under the lights – it makes it more fun.”
Competition resumes tomorrow with the second day of qualification. View the complete results and official photos.
< Back to All News
