Levi Morgan Wins 2022 IBO National Triple Crown
During the 3rd Leg of the IBO National Championship Triple Crown in Nelsonville, Ohio, Team Mathews secured a national championship and managed to take home four additional podium spots.
Levi Morgan found himself in a familiar spot, winning his 12th IBO National Triple Crown Championship in 13 years. “I’m honored to win one of the most coveted titles in our sport,” Morgan said. “Dan (McCarthy) and I changed leads so many times, and honestly it could have ended the other way at any time. It’s a bittersweet win knowing he deserved this one as well.” McCarthy ended up in second place for season-long championship just a couple of points behind Morgan.
In the IBO 3rd Leg event itself, Jacob Slusarz of Team Darton took first place in the Pro Release class, with Morgan finishing second and McCarthy taking third (below). In Nelsonville, Cara Kelly and Emily McCarthy of Team Mathews finished in first and second place in the Pro Release Female class.
Regarding his IBO victory in Ohio, Slusarz said: “All I can say is this one means a lot! I've been chasing this moment for a long time, and to have it finally happen is just incredible. I was able to shoot a solid day one score, and was shooting strong the second day before the weather cut things short. So I carried a four point lead into the shoot-off, which isn't a lot, but it was something. I was definitely feeling the nerves, just because I wanted this one so bad and have waited a long time for it. I was able to fight my way through for the most part and walk away with my second pro win and first in the IBO. It was a great feeling to say the least. It was also pretty awesome watching some buddies in the shoot-offs in front of me, and reminds me that when you surround yourself with good people, good things happen. I need to thank Darton bows, Black Eagle Arrows, Conquest Stabilizers, GAS Bowstrings, and B3. They have been beyond phenomenal to work with, and I appreciate them allowing me to represent them.”
Team USA’s Ellison Wins Silver for Third Time at 2022 World Games
Team USA’s Brady Ellison recently won the silver medal at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, a three-peat performance after also finishing second in 2013 and 2017.
After qualifying in first place earlier in the competition, Ellison was catapulted into the semifinals, where he won 64-55 to advance to the gold medal final against Germany’s Florian Unruh. Ellison initiated the match with a 2-point lead. However, Unruh shot back-to-back perfect scores on targets two and three, taking a commanding lead with which Ellison couldn’t keep pace. Unruh finished with a 5-point lead over Ellison, shooting 66-61.
“I shot well all weekend,” Ellison said. “I just had two mental mistakes that will haunt me for a little bit. The two arrows I shot 4s on, I knew I was going to miss and I still shot them.”
Nevertheless, the three-time silver medalist has podiumed at every World Games appearance he’s made.
Complete results are available via The World Games.
Team USA’s Lyons and Davis Bring Home Hardware From the World Games
Team USA’s Christina Lyons and Ryan Davis, breakout stars in the barebow competition, recently won silver and bronze medals from the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, competing on home soil.
The final day of the barebow competition shifted to a platform where archers shot in front of large crowds alongside the waterfront in Avondale Park.
Lyons’s husband and 18-year-old daughter, who received emergency military leave, flew in to surprise Lyons and watch her compete in the semifinals. “I was shocked and thrilled that my family was able to be here as I shot today!” said Lyons.
Lyons maintained a steady pace in her semifinal match against second-seeded Anne Viljanen of Finland. Lyons led the match across all four targets, finishing with a blowout 43-36 decision.
The gold medal match was contested by Lyons and the 2017 World Games defending champion, Cinzia Noziglia of Italy. After Lyons established an early 2-point lead on the first two targets, Noziglia was able to jump ahead in the second half and win the match 48-44.
“It’s overwhelming! I’m so honored to have shot with Cinzia and Lina and to be on the international stage,” remarked Lyons. “Winning a silver medal on home soil is the most fantastic feeling in the world.”
Dark horse Ryan Davis, who seeded 10th in the qualification round, found himself in the semifinals facing second-seed Leo Pettersson of Sweden, who narrowly took the match 49-50.
Fresh off losing a tiebreak shoot-off, Germany’s Michael Meyer went head-to-head against Davis in the bronze medal match. Posting solid scores from the start, Davis led most of the match until Meyer shot a six with just one arrow remaining. The pressure was on Davis to score a 4 or higher to win on the final arrow, which he did successfully to earn the bronze, 52-51.
“Things were getting close,” said Davis. “I knew I needed to make the best shot I could considering the circumstances, and I did! My wife and 10-year-old boy are here and my family and friends were watching from home; everyone’s very happy. Everything felt pretty good today.”
The barebow medal matches marked the end of the archery competition at the World Games, where the United States had the highest medal count of any country including the two barebow medals, Paige Pearce’s women’s compound bronze, and Brady Ellison’s men’s recurve silver. Final results are available via The World Games.
