ARCHERY AT THE PAN AM GAMES

Team USA left the Lima 2019 Pan American Games victorious with two women on the podium, the women’s title, the mixed team title, and men’s team bronze. The U.S. archery team had the reigning world champion, 3x Olympic medalist Brady Ellison, and were heavily favored for the podium at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. 

When the pandemic hit, things shifted. The atmosphere in Tokyo was different, and the archery team returned home empty handed for the first time since 2008. Our current team has fresh new faces, renewed determination, drive and is anchored by the experience of archers who have been building to this season. For the past two years USA Archery has landed their mixed team on every world cup podium, and in particular the women’s team is catching global attention with numerous stars on the rise.  

Casey Kaufhold, Jennifer Mucino Fernandez and Catalina GNoriega have garnered a top 10 finish at every world cup this season, moving the USA Archery women’s team to rank ninth in the world. Kaufhold and Brady Ellison have led the charge to keep the U.S. ranked second in the world for the mixed team event.  

Looking forward toward the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Santiago will be Team USA’s second chance to earn quota spots. With one women’s spot already locked up, the U.S. can secure a maximum of one men’s spot in Santiago with the highest placed mixed team or a top two individual men’s finish. 

Compound archery will mark its second appearance at the 2023 Pan American Games, with a major push for inclusion in the LA28 Games. Team USA, which has a long history as a dominant force in the compound world, is a strong favorite to secure the gold. Sawyer Sullivan, a current collegiate student-athlete from Texas A&M, and Alexis Ruiz are currently ranked fourth and sixth in the continent and recently won the compound mixed team world champion title in Berlin. Alexis Ruiz made her return to serious competition this year after graduating from nursing school at Grand Canyon University and is currently ranked ninth in the Americas. 

Hispanic Heritage: Two of the three women anchoring the Team USA squad this entire season have strong Hispanic heritage and can inspire girls who see them as role models to chase their dreams in sport.

American Dream: Jennifer Mucino Fernandez was born in Boston and raised in Mexico. Her Olympic dream stemmed from watching the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara. This led to her mother learning the sport from the ground up in an effort to provide opportunities for Fernandez to train and compete. After facing burnout at a young age, Fernandez rediscovered her love for archery in the U.S. Fernandez has had an incredible run since moving to the USA Archery training center and is now one of the strongest shooters in the world. In addition, Jackson Mirich was adopted from North Korea as a baby and has built incredible opportunities for himself through archery.

Great Aim, Great Style: Casey Kaufhold is not only Team USA’s strongest female shooter and second in the world, she’s a college student at Texas A&M University and a budding fashion designer. When she’s not on the field, she’s often found sewing herself new clothes and has even made her own high school prom dresses.