OGDEN — The United States continued its dominance on the final day of the third stage of the 2011 Archery World Cup at Lindquist Field.
On their home turf, Americans finished the compound events with a total six medals, four gold and two silver medals. The American's efforts in the recurve events on Friday night combined with the compound results tonight yielded 10 total medals — seven gold, two silver and a bronze.
Saturday night events began with women's team competition. Team France struggled in the first two ends, and team Canada took advantage jumping to a nine point lead. The French women rallied in the final half, but Canada was able to hold them off for a 222-216 victory to take the bronze medal. In the gold medal match, the United States team consisting of Erika Anschutz, Christie Colin and Jamie Van Natta combined for a 10-point victory over India to take home USA's first gold medal of the night.
The men's team competition began with Iran narrowly defeating France with a 232-231 score. The two teams proved to be evenly matched. They were tied after the first three ends. Iran was able to pull away with a final end of 59 to take home the bronze medal. Team USA continued its gold streak by defeating Canada in the men's gold medal match, 234-229. The USA team of Braden Gellenthien, Logan Wilde and Reo Wilde shot ten straight tens to help put away from the Canadians.
The fireworks continued for Gellenthien and Colin of the United States in the mixed team event. USA tied the world record, shooting 158 out of a possible 160 to defeat Italy's (151). The gold medal was the second of the night for both Gellenthien and Colin. They previously medaled in their respective team events.
Italy emerged as the big winners of the women's individual event, taking home a gold and bronze medal. Laura Longo began the competition for the Italians defeating Mahtab Parsamehr of Iran 143-138 in the bronze medal match. The gold medal match was much closer as Anschutz of the United States erased an early deficit by hitting four tens on her last arrows to force a shoot-off with Marcella Tonioli of Italy. Anschutz's comeback attempt fell short. Tonioli emerged victorious in the shoot-off and took home the gold medal.
The Americans dominated the men's individual event as Rodger Willet Jr. won his third straight World Cup gold medal by defeating fellow teammate Gellenthien in the finals. Willet Jr. shot a near perfect score shooting a 147/150. In the end, Gellenthien was unable to defeat Willet Jr. with scoring 145. In the bronze medal match, Sergio Pagni defeated American Reo Wilde 147-145.
The world's best archers will return to Ogden next June as part of the 2012 Archery World Cup.
The next stage of the 2011 Archery World Cup will be held in Shanghai, China, on Sept. 5-10. That is the final stage of the World Cup before the finals in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sept. 24-25.