Guadalajara, Mexico - Miranda Leek, the eighteen-year-old Des Moines native, has punched her ticket to the Pan Am Games semifinals after a strong performance that will leave fans remembering why she is one of archery's brightest rising stars.
Earlier in the competition, Leek became part of an elite group of eight non-Korean women who have shot 1360 at a World Championships or World Ranking Tournament, according to World Archery Communications. Today, ranked in second, she opened with a 6-0 shutout versus Chile's Sophia Moraga in the 1/16. Continuing her winning streak, she posted a 7-1 victory against Nadya Ruiz (PUR) in the 1/8, and a four-set 6-2 win in the quarterfinals, versus Canada's seventh-seeded Kateri Vrakking.
Team USA's Khatuna Lorig (West Hollywood, CA), the fourth-seeded, four-time Olympian, found success in her first match, shooting a 6-2 win versus Maria Echavarria (COL). However, she was unable to edge out Paola Ramirez (COL), who defeated the American after a 6-5 tiebreaker in the 1/8, shooting a ten to Lorig's nine.
Heather Koehl (Sheboygan Falls, WI), with a tenth place ranking from the qualification round, also found success in the 1/16, winning her meeting with Murielle Deschamps (CHI), 6-5. However, she faced a tough opponent in Canada's Vrakking in the 1/8 and lost the match, 4-6.
Commenting on her loss, Lorig stated: "I shot strong today, and now it's time to focus on team rounds." Leek echoed her statements: "I managed a win in all of my matches today, so I'll be going to the semifinals and medal matches on Saturday. Conditions are still just about ideal here; team rounds will be awesome!"
The action continues tomorrow with the men's individual elimination round matches. Follow USA Archery on Twitter and Facebook for updates and more: http://www.twitter.com/usaarchery and http://www.facebook.com/usaarchery. Complete results are available athttp://www.archery.org. ?< Back to All News
