NEWBERRY, Fla. – The largest-ever Easton Foundations Gator Cup certainly lived up to its billing with world-class archery from the world’s best archers.
World number one and two met for gold in recurve men on Sunday, the final action from an action-packed four days of the first USAT Qualifier Series event of 2026, which began with Team Rounds on Thursday afternoon.
A new world record holder faced the world number one in the deciding match in compound men.
The world number two in recurve women reclaimed the title she last won in 2023, there were repeat winners across the 50+ division, and emerging talent took center stage. Oh, and there was a new best set, beating a world record which had stood since 2016!
Near-perfect conditions may have allowed James Lutz to score 719 in compound men qualification on Saturday morning, but the weather switched for senior finals on Sunday, truly testing the best in the business.
Marcus D’Almeida (BRA) – ranked one in the world – edged world number two Brady Ellison 6-4 in recurve men, with neither archer scoring higher than 27 across five ends.
Casey Kaufhold finished with a 29 to defeat Brazil’s Ana Luiza Caetano 6-2 in recurve women. Kaufhold took bronze the previous two years, having won Gator Cup in 2022 and 2023.
Mike Schloesser (NED) retained the title he won in 2025. The world number one in compound men overcame top seed Lutz 147-146 in a match of high drama. In compound women, Olivia Dean was perfect for four of her five ends in a 147-143 win over Tanja Gellenthien (DEN).
The senior barebow class highlighted the emerging talent. Abigail Sparpaglione, who last year was competing at JOAD Target Nationals and JOAD U.S. Open, took silver to Erin Hollom’s gold. Hollom is a relative newcomer to the sport, though that didn’t show in her 6-0 win, which included scores of 28 and 29.
Matthew Christian did not appear fazed by the gold medal stage or the conditions as he began with a 10 in barebow men before defeating Kelly Miller 6-0.
The winners from the senior matches in barebow, compound and recurve all automatically qualify for the inaugural USAT Series Final, which takes place immediately before the 142nd USA Archery Target Nationals and 2026 U.S. Open in Springfield, Mo. in August.
Mark Williams made it five wins from six Gator Cup as he once again took gold in recurve 50+ men. Janis Grellner did indeed make it three in a row in recurve 50+ women with a 6-0 win over third seed Jamie McCarrison.
Defending champion and top seed George Ryals IV held onto his crown in compound 50+ men, beating second seed Timothy Lopez 143-141. Lynne Frady came through as fifth seed but ended with gold in compound 50+ women.
In a battle between the top seeds in barebow 50+ men, it was second seed Brian Johnson who came from behind to defeat Rick Stonebraker 6-4. Johnson, from Florida, improved by 40 points on his 2025 qualification round and while going out at the quarterfinals stage a year ago, this time around he left with gold.
Barebow 50+ women was again won by Melissa McAvoy, making it her third success at Gator Cup since 2022.
There was a surprise in compound open men, with Ephraim Tonn-Bourg taking gold, ahead of Paralympians KJ Polish and Andre Shelby. Tonn-Bourg shot 698, four ahead of Polish and 13 points more than Shelby.
Just two points separated the top two in compound open women, with gold going to Brandi Iannoli, silver to Catalina Bustamante, with defending champion Wendy Gardner claiming bronze.
Candice Caesar successfully defended her recurve open women title, as did Jordan White – with his best-ever score at Gator Cup, 606 – in recurve open men.
Gold in the W1 Open division once again went to Jason Tabansky, while Damon Whittaker came through for silver and Ryan Lindstrom left with bronze. There was a strong showing from 14-year-old Frank Bailey, who finished fourth.
A number of those heading to next month’s Pan American Youth and Masters Championships in Colombia finished top of the podium, including Paige Lee (recurve U15 women), Maverick Lewis (compound U18 men), Mattingly Walker (compound U15 women), Sykes Lamensdorf (barebow U18 men), Grellner (recurve 50+ women), Williams (recurve 50+ men), McAvoy (barebow 50+ women), Johnson (barebow 50+ men) and Yeshaswini Tati (recurve U21 women).
Maddison Stratton barely skipped a beat as she stepped up from the U18 to U21 category in fixed pins. Champion at the younger age last year, she took silver in U21, with top seed Jeannie Hite claiming a 134-131 victory.
You can find a full list of all the scores and results here, with action images from each session, plus podium photos.
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