As the final arrow struck the target, there was a pump of the fist from Casey Kaufhold, a shout of celebration from the crowd and a group hug as it was at this moment – during the semifinals of the recurve women team event of the Pan American Championships – that the USA secured two more quota slots for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Kaufhold, Catalina GNoriega and Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez combined to defeat hosts Colombia 6-2 to set up a gold medal meeting with Mexico on Sunday. Mexico already has their allocation of quota slots so despite reaching the final they were unable to take those on offer in South America, meaning the USA has already done enough but will be eager to finish strong at the weekend.
There was disappointment on the men’s side as they were knocked out at the semifinal stage by Colombia. The Final Qualification Tournament will be held with World Cup Stage 3 in Turkey in June. Remaining quota slots will then be allocated to the host nation and other countries based on team world rankings in June. (Read the 2024 Olympic Games Qualification System).
Day two of the Championships brought more barebow gold. Cindy Czako, winner in the barebow mixed team event on Wednesday alongside Marcus Cooley, defeated teammate and defending champion Christina Lyons in the final. The four men of Binh Tran, Patrick Fisk, Matthew Seidemann and Cooley lost out in their quarterfinals, so occupied fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth in the final standings.
Alexis Ruiz will shoot for gold in the final of the compound women on Saturday in a meeting of the top two seeds. Number one seed and world number seven Dafne Quintero (MEX) stands between Ruiz and the title. Ruiz fought through two tough rounds to get to the gold medal match, winning both in a one arrow shootoff, first against compatriot Olivia Dean and then overcoming world number two, Sara Lopez of Colombia.
Elimination rounds in the individual recurve competition start on Friday. Brady Ellison meets Jose Manuel Balbuena Alarcon (PER) at the 1/16th stage, Gabe Anderson faces Camerin Pickering (BER), Jack Williams tackles Andres Hernandez Vera (COL), and Jackson Mirich takes on Bruno Martinez Wing (MEX).
Kaufhold starts in the recurve women individual eliminations against Marcela Cortez (ESA). Mucino-Fernandez faces Mayte Camila Paredes Cachi (BOL), GNoriega meets Yailin Paredes (CUB), while Molly Nugent plays Alma Fiorella Pueyo Lopez (ARG). Should GNoriega and Nugent come through their matches, then they will meet in the 1/8th round.
Ellison and Kaufhold enter the recurve mixed team elimination at the 1/8th round on Friday, facing the winner of Dominican Republic and Panama.
Compound team competition starts on Friday, also. In the men’s event, Eli Bartron, Steve Marsh and Isaac Sullivan start against Guatemala in the quarterfinals. Dean, Carson Krahe and Ruiz meet Puerto Rico.
About USA Archery
USA Archery is the National Governing Body for the Olympic sport of archery in the United States. USA Archery selects and trains Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup teams, and develops archery at the grassroots level across the United States. For more information, visit www.usarchery.org.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
