We spent nearly a week in Gainesville, Florida at the Easton Newberry Archery Center #GatorCup2019. With record breaking heat and humidity in the high 90’s, it was certainly uncomfortable and difficult for all archers participating in the second round of the US Archery Team (USAT) qualifiers, the 2019 Gator Cup. As young as Gabi is and as unstoppable as I think she looks and acts, we are always learning new things about ourselves and about high level competition.
During Gabi’s Thursday and Friday unofficial/official practices sessions she looked fantastic. Just a week prior to Gator, she was putting up nation record scores during regular practice and seemingly was peaking at the right time for the tournament. We were both confident in her preparation and there was no doubt we had done everything possible to be ready. Conditions were less than ideal. Temperature was sweltering hot, humidity made the air so thick and warm. The early line times made mornings come early!
When Saturday’s qualification day came, Gabi woke up dutifully at the crack of dawn and made it to the field as scheduled, an hour early as always. She set up her chair and spotting scope and put on her kit. Primary and backup bows were all measured and ready to go under the shade to be out of near 100 degree heat. Gabi was ready and looked confident and excited. The usual beeps called the archers to the line. Gabi marched forward to her lane and nocked her first arrow of the tournament. Her first five arrows found their mark in the middle – and ghosts of tournaments past reared their ugly heads. Arrow six was executed flawlessly right in the 10 ring…of the target next to her lane! What could have been an opening round of 54 was instantly an opening round of 44. Seeing Gabi walk off the line after, I could tell she was disappointed. She past me and said, “I shot the other target.” I responded with, “Yup.” The remainder of the day she was playing catch up. Shots were laboured and her process was inconsistent. Slowly but surely she kept inching her way up as the day progressed. Archers who started off strong were fading. A few were making ground and feeling more confident. The temp was taking its toll. We had a couple athletes succumb to heat exhaustion on the adult field. She managed to stay in the top 10. 8th position gave her a first round bye in the elimination rounds the next day.
Knowing she didn’t have a great qualifying session, Gabi said it was behind her and that all her energy was now focused on eliminations. With a 1/32nd first round bye she took her warm ups as allowed and was shooting great. I could see her confidence was back and she had truly put things behind her. In the next round of 1/16th Gabi was up and shooting. She made quick work and retired her opponent. Things looked like they were back on track. Gabi went into the round of 1/8th strong. They tied the first set 1-1. Gabi won the second set to make it 3-1. In an instant, the weather changed. The director of shooting made an urgent announcement for all archers to score their ends, quickly collect their items and get inside. The wind started gusting furiously. The rain followed. Moments later, there was thunder and lighting. We all piled into the training center. Archers could be seen drying their bows, eating snacks, talking and playing with their phones. As quickly as the crazy weather had arrived, it passed. We were back outside. Everyone warmed up with one round and they were back at it. Gabi seemed to be labouring to find her shot. Her opening end was a 19 with one very loose arrow in the black. The score was now 3-3. First one to 6 wins the round. Gabi eventually was retired through the next two rounds. Each round more laboured than the previous. She tried to make ground but somewhere between the storm break and warming up she lost her shot process. Gabi was unable to mentally reset.
As disappointed as she may have been, Gabi had to shake off the loss and shift roles from athlete to teammate. We had the opportunity to stand behind her teammate/training partner, Lillian, who was still alive in the elimination rounds. We both spotted arrows and assisted with hydration and cooling for Lillian. Gabi eagerly waited for Lillian to come back to the waiting line with water and encouraging words. She shot brilliantly and made it all the way to the gold medal final – eventually securing the silver with a gritty performance. All the time we could see the stress and excitement in the athletes and parents around us…everyone going for a win. It was truly an honor to support Lillian and be allowed to stand behind her in her biggest finish to date!
Gabi and I are always talking about the importance of supporting every girl in the division. That, without the other athletes, there is no competition. Regardless of how things play out, we will stay, if at all possible, and watch the others who get to continue on to the next round. We support the ones who get to step up onto those three coveted steps of the podium. Many athletes leave after they are retired and that’s ok. I get it and understand. For Gabi and me, we believe it is important to be there and watch the final resolution. Gabi has been blessed with high finishes and we are so grateful for everyone’s support. It is the archers, parents and coaches of the defeated giving congratulatory handshakes to the ones moving on that we respect. We respect the victors, their efforts and being the best of the day. We respect fair play and sportsmanship. We respect and appreciate all those who put on these tournaments that make everything possible. In the end, when that last arrow is shot, we are not members of one team or another but part of a world community of archers. We are archery fans that come together and strive for excellence through sport and through action.
In two weeks Gabi will drag her battle hardened and scarred self-image to Chula Vista, CA for the third round of the USAT series. Again, she will put it all on the line as she always does. I will stand behind her literally and figuratively as I always do. I believe she can do amazing things with her bow. I believe she will be a champion with or without medals. I believe in her no matter what!
Thank you to so many people! Bob and Bill Hickey, Rob Karin and Faith, Coach Timm, Darrin Barry, Jin, our team Next Step Archery and The Nock Point, our outdoor practice range and club WCW Wildlife Committee of Wa, our state association the Washington State Archery Association, USA Archery, and OCD Strings
