Photo by World Archery
AUBURNDALE, Fla. – For the first time since 2017, the USA collected a World Cup team medal in recurve women, as Stage 1 ended in Florida on Sunday afternoon.
The three of Catalina GNoriega, Casey Kaufhold and Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez won silver, having defeated Mexico, India and Chinese Taipei (via a shootoff) en route to facing China in the gold medal match. Despite taking a 2-0 lead after the first set, China came back to edge the affair 5-3.
The last recurve women’s team to medal at a World Cup came in World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai, China eight years ago. The team on that occasion was LaNola Shepherd, Khatuna Lorig and MacKenzie Brown. They also won silver.
“It feels really cool to be part of a team that brings home a medal,” GNoriega began. “It means a lot with this team of Jenni and Casey. It’s really rewarding to finally be able to get a medal and do it on home soil means a lot.
“It felt more special because we had our family here watching, and it’s a home crowd. The first (recurve women’s team) medal in eight years, to do it on home soil in front of family; it's special.”
Kaufhold – who ultimately finished fourth – missed out on the chance to shoot for individual gold in recurve women as she lost a high-quality semifinal match to eventual silver medalist Alejandra Valencia (MEX).
This event marked the first international competition since Elias Cuesta took over as National Head Coach. He said, “I thought it was good. Of course, many will feel they can shoot a little bit better, but I think being the first international competition of the season, coming straight from Arizona Cup, I think we shot well and know we’ll be even better next time.”
GNoriega added, "I think though happy with our performance, we always strive for more. It's a good start, but hopefully we can do better the rest of the season."
The recurve women’s team silver was the last of four medals won by the USA in Florida, to go with gold for the compound men’s team, bronze for the compound women’s team and silver for Olivia Dean in individual compound women.
Competition returns to Florida later this month with the Easton Foundations Gator Cup, the second event of four in the USAT (United States Archery Team) Qualifier Series. That gets underway in Newberry on April 25.
World Cup Stage 2 is May 6-11 in Shanghai, China. The rest of the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup calendar is as follows:
Stage 3: Antalya, Turkey – June 3-8
Stage 4: Madrid, Spain – July 8-13
World Cup Final: Nanjing, China – October 17-19
