May 04, 2026

In-form USA archers get set to tackle Archery World Cup Stage #2 in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China – Confidence will be high among the U.S. archers in Asia for Stage #2 of the 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup, fresh from success at the Easton Foundations Gator Cup where medals were won and records were set.

James Lutz took silver in Florida, but only after recording a new compound men’s world record in qualification, scoring 719 out of a possible 720 points. The previous best, of 718, had stood since 2016.

Lutz is joined on the compound men’s team by Louis Price – who shot 715 during Gator Cup qualification – Gaius Carter and Sawyer Sullivan. Carter is one of only two changes to the team from Stage #1. The other is 18-year-old debutant Kaylee Gurney (pictured) in compound women.

Gurney - a two-time medalist at the 2025 Junior Pan Am Games - adds to an already strong women’s team, joining Gator Cup gold medalist Olivia Dean, top seed Alexis Ruiz and second seed Liko Arreola. Gurney won bronze at Gator Cup, with victory over Ruiz. The compound women took team silver from Stage #1. Ruiz and Stephan Hansen were bronze medalists in compound mixed team.

Brady Ellison competes in Shanghai already assured of his place at the World Cup Final after winning recurve men gold during Stage #1 in Mexico. He has familiar faces alongside him in Christian Stoddard, Jack Williams and Trenton Cowles. Ellison, Stoddard and Williams took recurve men’s team gold in Mexico. Cowles, meanwhile, was in form during Gator Cup, finishing as top seed after qualification, ahead of Stoddard.

Ellison returned from Mexico with two golds and a silver. The silver came in recurve mixed team with Casey Kaufhold. Kaufhold arrives in China having secured her place at the USAT Series Final with victory at Gator Cup.

Catalina GNoriega came away with bronze from the first event of the USAT Qualifier Series, with Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez taking fourth. That trio of Olympians will again be joined by Olivia Martin in China as the 21-year-old – bronze medalist in the final two USAT Qualifier Series events of 2025 – continues to gain valuable experience.

Ellison and Lutz have already savored success in Shanghai. The pair were triumphant in their respective divisions at the APX (Archery Pro Extreme) event in the Chinese city over the weekend. Price was also involved, finishing third in compound men, as the trio honed their preparation ahead of the World Cup Stage #2.

Follow along with the latest scores and results, plus with a subscription to archery+ you can watch live coverage of the team and individual finals, starting on Friday night U.S. time.

USA TEAM