FOLEY, Ala. – Alabama’s southern charm did not extend to its weather on Friday as archers were drenched by rain in the morning session and battled heat and humidity in the afternoon on the first full day of competition at the 2023 USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals.
What began as a light drizzle soon built into a torrential downpour, making life tough for the 450 archers at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve. Umbrellas and waterproofs made way for sunscreen and bug spray as the conditions changed and presented a different challenge.
After two rounds and 40 arrows the top three in the recurve men will come as little surprise to many. T Sanchez, competing for Lindsey Wilson College, is followed by Texas A&M (TAMU) duo Alex Gilliam and Trenton Cowles. All three are among the nation’s leading 16 recurve archers who will resume Olympic Trials Qualification in Arizona in April.
Riley Marx, also involved in those Olympic Trials, tops the recurve women. The TAMU archer leads the way from Lidia Quezada Villa and Brianna Laux, both with the University of the Cumberlands, the defending champions.
The compound men is led by Andrew Hubbs from Rend Lake College, followed by Isaac Sullivan (University of the Cumberlands) and Gage Kellett (Lindenwood University). University of the Cumberland occupy the top three places in the compound women - Danielle Woodie, Madison Cox and Grace Moore.
In the barebow men division, TAMU archer Wallace Woodlief shot a total of 373. He is followed by Tyson Woosley (University of the Cumberlands, 363) and David Hollenberg (Lindenwood University, 344). Johnathan Stanley (Union College) also fired a 344, with Hollenberg edging it due to shooting more 12s.
Liberty University’s Kayla Cassady (343) edged Maggie Brensinger of University of Pikeville (342) in the barebow women. Brensinger’s college teammate Morrighain Nyer put in the third best score (334). Just 13 points separated the top five.
Pikeville and Cumberlands fill the first five places in the fixed pin men. Nate Harper (University of Pikeville) came out on top, ahead of Brandon Durham, Jaden Taylor, Joseph West (all University of the Cumberlands) and teammate Daniel Clayton.
Twelve points separated the leading five fixed pin women, led by Ela Smallacombe (University of the Cumberlands), who was two clear of teammate Cammie Shuman. Shuman was just one point ahead of Alicia Aviles (University of Pikeville), who was trailed by Abigail Veidmark (Mississippi College) and Carrie Booth (Midway University).
Saturday sees an individual class shoot-down in the morning, followed by team rounds in the afternoon.
This year's event concludes on Saturday night when the mixed equipment team rounds move indoors to the Foley Event Center, and follow a banquet.
Latest scores and results can be found on Between Ends, with action images from each day in Foley on USA Archery’s SmugMug page. The mixed equipment team rounds will be broadcast live on Saturday night via USA Archery’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
