ACU Archery Earns Five Medals at USA Archery Arizona State Outdoor Championship
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Arizona Christian University Archery delivered an impressive showing at the USA Archery Arizona State Outdoor Championship, bringing home five medals across collegiate divisions while demonstrating resilience and adaptability in challenging outdoor conditions.
Six ACU archers represented the Firestorm at the championship, competing against collegiate archers from across the region. Saturday’s competition featured a 72-arrow qualification round, with crosswinds gusting between 20 and 25 miles per hour creating a demanding test of consistency, focus, and technique. ACU’s archers responded by adjusting to the conditions, trusting their processes, and growing in confidence throughout the event.
The Firestorm found considerable success in the fixed-pin divisions, earning four medals across the men’s and women’s competitions.
In the Fixed Pins College Women division, Paige Rogers-Gould captured the gold medal following the qualification round and elimination competition. Teammate McKenna Rogers secured silver, giving ACU a one-two finish in the division.
The Fixed Pins College Men division produced another all-ACU battle for the podium. Thaddious Thurman and Ryan Rooney navigated the difficult wind conditions throughout qualification and advanced to eliminations separated by just two points through the third end. Thurman ultimately claimed the gold medal, while Rooney earned silver, completing another first- and second-place finish for the Firestorm.
ACU also reached the podium in the barebow divisions. Competing in Barebow College Men, Ivan Lee entered eliminations in second place following qualification. Lee opened the elimination match with a two-set-point advantage, but the challenging wind conditions continued to test competitors throughout the round. Lee finished with the silver medal against a field that included archers from Diné College.
On Sunday morning, Katt Mayne represented ACU in the Barebow College Women eliminations. After qualifying in third place, Mayne maintained her position among the division’s top competitors and secured the bronze medal to complete ACU’s championship performance.
The five-medal haul highlighted the depth of the Firestorm’s six-archer contingent, with every member contributing to the team’s presence at the state championship. Beyond the podium finishes, the competition provided valuable experience in managing difficult conditions and maintaining confidence under pressure.
Coach Arvid Veidmark praised the group’s overall performance, emphasizing the way the archers adapted to the wind while learning to trust their routines and enjoy the competitive experience.
” The team did amazing! The archers adapted and grew in confidence with their process as well as learning to enjoy the moment,” Veidmark said.
ACU Archery expressed its appreciation for the opportunity to represent the university at the USA Archery Arizona State Outdoor Championship, along with the support of family and friends throughout the competition. The program also recognized the participating collegiate archery programs, including University of Arizona Wildcat Archery and Diné College Archery, as well as Corner Archery for hosting the event.
