Elite Archery had an impressive weekend in Cullman, AL at the ASA Classic tournament with four podium finishes. Jeremy Elliott, Men’s Known-Pro Shooter and Michael Braden, Senior Pro Shooter, each took home first place in their respective competitions. Cara Kelly placed second in the Women’s Pro while Maddie Rutkowski placed third. Chance Beaubouef and Michael Braden held on to their 2017 Shooter of the Year leads to secure the title in the late hours of the evening, while TJ Strychalski, David Rose and Rutkowski all earned Rookie of the Year titles for Elite.
“Not long ago, people didn’t really understand who Elite was or what Shootability meant,” said Pro Staff Manager Darrin Christenberry. “It is really overwhelming to see how much Team Elite has grown over the past couple of years. The podium finishes and the contingency checks were everywhere this past weekend. I am incredibly proud of all of our shooters and their accomplishments!”
Elite Archery sent an overall seven athletes into shootoffs at the Classic, which began with the Women’s Pro division. The women remained consistent in hitting their marks as they had throughout the tournament, earning Kelly second place and Rutkowski, a rookie this season, third.
Braden maintained a significant lead heading in to the Senior Pro shootoff and impressed the crowd with his continued consistency and accuracy. He needed only a 10 on his last arrow to secure the top podium finish, and did so with ease. Braden also held a significant point lead for Shooter of the Year heading into the Classic, and stood atop the podium for the 2017 title.
Elite’s Garrett Ayersman and Jeremy Elliott battled against three other competitors in an exciting Known-Pro shootoff. Ayersman narrowly missed third place, while an impressively calm and collected Elliott availed to the last arrow against recent World Games champion Stephan Hansen for first.
In a nail-biting Men’s Open shootoff, Elite’s Tommy Gomez and Darrin Christenberry were among a total of seven archers in an unprescedented shootdown. The men battled difficult lighting throughout their shootoff, and while Gomez’s last arrow wasn’t quite enough for the final round, Christenberry was within points of the podium. With an opportunity to earn second place, Christenberry aimed for the 14 spot, and while the arrow didn’t hit its mark, he earned a roar of applause for the risk.
While battling the flu throughout the competition, Beaubouef earned the Men’s Known-Pro Shooter of the Year title at the conclusion of the tournament. Additionally, TJ Strychalski was named the Men’s Known-Pro Rookie of the Year, David Rose earned the Men’s Pro Rookie of the Year, and Maddie Rutkowski earned Women’s Rookie of the Year.