SPRINGFIELD, MO - Brady Ellison and Catalina GNoriega warmed up for next month’s World Archery Championships with double individual gold from an enthralling 141st USA Archery Target Nationals and U.S. Open at the Betty and Bobby Allison Sports Town.
The pair were among seven archers to win Target Nationals gold and then also stand atop the podium at the end of Sunday’s U.S. Open. The others included Melissa McAvoy, Ryan Lindstrom, Mark Williams and Nicole Rasor. Williams and Rasor both needed one arrow shootoffs to secure their second gold of the weekend.
Clayton Moore was denied a double win weekend by Kenneth Brunko, the number two seed. Brunko won gold in the U.S. Open via a shootoff in compound 50+ men, with Moore taking silver.
In all, 30 national champions were crowned on Saturday after two days of competition. GNoriega claimed gold in recurve women by just one point, from Olivia Martin. Martin then took bronze in the U.S. Open.
For Ellison, this marked a 17th national title since 2007. Others to successfully defend their national title included Mark Williams, Janet Flenner, Larry Anderson, Diana LaBeau, Sharon Totton, Karen Sternfeld and Wendy Gardner.
Ellie Howe claimed U.S. Open gold in barebow women, defeating top seed and national champion Ava Jones. Howe reached the gold medal match courtesy of an almost dead-center X in a one arrow shootoff against Cindy Czako.
Brady was not the only Ellison to win U.S. Open gold. Wife Toja had earlier come from behind to defeat Tanja Gellenthien in compound women. Johannes Gildenhuys – the 14th seed – took U.S. Open gold in barebow 50+ men. Wife Samantha secured bronze in barebow 50+ women.
There was an all-Missouri gold medal match in barebow men, with Jeremiah Jones firing two scores of 29 to beat Nathan Shaw, who lives just 10 minutes from the venue!
A one arrow shootoff decided U.S. Open gold in compound men, with victory going to Stephan Hansen.
You can find a full set of results on Between Ends, including from the mixed team and team competitions, while action photos and podium pictures are also available. The USA Archery Target Nationals and U.S. Open return to Springfield in 2026, from August 12-15.
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