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by Mary Beth Vorwerk - USA Archery
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2004
ATHENS, Greece - Women's archery competition began today with the round of 32 elimination and Jennifer Nichols advancing to Tuesday's round of 16 for the U.S.
The first competitor to walk out of the tunnel into Panathinaiko Stadium, where the original modern Olympic Games were held in 1896, 19th ranked Nichols (Cheyenne, Wyo.) was set to face 46th ranked Rina Dewi Puspitasari (INA). Nichols won the match easily 160-151.
"It's extremely exciting being here at the Olympics and I was especially excited walking into the stadium this morning," said Nichols. "I had butterflies at first, but I was all psyched up and ready to go and I am happy to get past my first match. Now I feel more prepared for my next one, the first match is always the hardest."
Nichols will face 14th ranked Tetyana Berezhna (UKR) Tuesday, August 17 at 8:30 a.m. for the round of 16. Berezhna beat Fotini Vavatsi (GRE) 160-156 today.
Ranked 36th coming into her match, Stephanie Arnold (Portland, Ind.) faced 29th ranked Melissa Jennison (AUS) under extremely windy conditions. Arnold led 44-39 after the first six arrows, but Jennison came back to win the match 132-121.
"I've literally never shot in this windy of a condition," said Arnold. "I was hoping to shoot much better than I did, but with the swirling wind in the stadium, it was hard to even determine where my arrows would hit."
Fifty-year-old three-time Olympian Janet Dykman (El Monte, Calif.) was ranked 44th and faced 21st ranked Alison Williamson (GBR). Like Arnold, Dykman started off with a strong lead, but was unable to hold on and lost the match to Williamson 147-121.
"I felt pretty calm and confident standing in the tunnel waiting for my match," said Dykman. "The first couple of ends were strong and I felt good, but after a while I couldn't even keep my arm straight with the wind as bad as it was, so I just let go hoping the arrow would hit the target."
The focus for Arnold and Dykman will now be on the team round, which will take place on Friday, August 20 for the women, with the U.S. facing Greece in the first round.
"I always feel the team round is the strong event for the women, " said Dykman. "I am confident that we'll do really well on Friday."
In the "round of 32" elimination, each archer shoots one match of 18 arrows at 70 meters. There are four targets on the field, with two archers shooting head-to-head on the left side and two shooting against each other on the right, alternating on each arrow. There are now 32 women remaining for the round of 16, which will take place on Tuesday.
For complete results, please visit www.usarchery.org or www.athens2004.com.
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