LAS VEGAS, Nevada. – Barebow at the 2025 USA Archery Indoor Nationals Final epitomizes how archery truly is a sport for everyone, with one of the opening matches on Wednesday morning bringing to the line two archers separated by an age gap of 55 years.
Barbara Carroll is the eighth seed. The 70-year-old from Apache Junction in Arizona is making her debut at the Indoor Nationals Final. In fact, this year was just the second time she had entered Indoor Nationals, following her bow at Chula Vista in 2024. And her quarterfinal will be against the 15-year-old number one seed, making her second appearance at this stage, Medina Otajagic.
Named to the 2025 USAT thanks to gold in barebow 50+ women at the 2024 Rebel Gear Buckeye Classic and silver at the Easton Foundations SoCal Showdown, Carroll said, “I am excited to represent my age group at the Finals, and somewhat intimidated to take on a 15-year-old in the first round.
“I have seen her shoot, and she is very good. The age difference does make an interesting story. I have cataracts and I am sure she doesn't! I could only smile when I saw I was paired with Medina. Hopefully she will let me win at least one set!”
Arriving as the sixth seed 12 months ago, Otajagic lost in the semifinals to eventual silver medalist Ava Jones, before missing out on bronze with defeat to Fawn Girard. That experience should count for something as the barebow women’s division remains just as competitive in 2025.
Returning to defend her title is Maggie Brensinger. She opens against the vastly experienced Chrissie Lyons. Ava Jones faces Julie Jones, with Cindy Czako up against Elizabeth Howe.
Czako lost to Ava Jones at the quarterfinal stage last year, before having a tremendous outdoor season which included gold in the first three USAT Qualifier Series events. Howe is also back hoping to move beyond the first round. She lost to Girard in the quarterfinals last time out.
On the men’s side, Wisconsin brothers Brian and Nick Way are among five archers from 2024 set to have another go in 2025. Reigning champion Zackary Bisinger heads to Vegas as the number one seed and opens against Colby Cox.
Nick Way took bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024 and his quest for gold begins against Luke Thornsbury, who is making his debut at the Indoor Nationals Final aged 17. Thornsbury won bronze in barebow U18 men at the 2024 Easton Foundations Gator Cup and silver at the Buckeye Classic.
Brother Brian was gold medalist at last year’s Gator Cup and runner-up at the U.S. Open, losing out to Bisinger. His quarterfinal match in Vegas is against Kyle Coffey, the number one seed and bronze medal winner from 2024.
Completing the first round of matches in barebow men on Wednesday will be local archer Marcus Cooley, silver medalist in 2023, up against the 2022 runner-up, Jeff Ogilvie.
Elimination rounds through the bronze medal matches will be followed by live coverage of the gold medal matches on USA Archery's YouTube channel, starting at 10am PT..jpg)
