Denise Parker, fresh off a win in the Atlantic City Archery Classic, climbed aboard a plane on Monday and was whisked off to China for a nine-day tour.
The South Jordan archer was one of eight four men and four women U.S. archers sent to China to compete in the China Nationals scheduled Thursday through Saturday. Following her China tour, she will return to Utah.This past weekend, Parker, recognized as one of America's best archers and a definite Olympic prospect, won the two-day Atlantic shoot. After trailing Melanie Skillman of New Jersey, by four points on Saturday, Parker, 14, shot especially well on Sunday and ended up six points ahead of Skillman 1,126 to 1,120.
In June, Parker will fly to Oxford, Ohio, to compete in the U.S. Olympic trials.