US World Trials finished up on Thursday. Friday was official practice for the 2019 Arizona Cup. After 8 days of competition, I needed a day off.
Elimination day arrives and I feel great. I feel mentally ready. Its gonna to be great! I’m feeling my shots and it should be a good day.
I shot the qualifier and finished in 5th. I wasn’t happy but I was ok.
In my 30+ years of competing I have experience a lot and I have learned from those experiences. But what happened the next day at eliminations turned into a brand new career lesson. On elimination day, the top 4 had buys. Being in 5th, I had to shoot a match.
As I’m preparing for my first end, I’m watching the clock to make sure I get on the line in time. I was looking for the AB sign to because that was my line. I looked up and saw that the CD line was on. I was told during official practice that AB/CD line doesn’t change, but that is usually done just on the practice day. I wasn’t aware it was for entire competition.
I look up at the clock, AB is on, I go to the shooting line.
I coming back from my first end. I looked at the clock CD is showing. I sat underneath the tent to take a look at my arrows. I looked at the clock, CD still on. That line is up and shooting.
When They finish, I start getting ready to shoot and that’s when I see my opponent approaching the line. Seems the judge didn’t change the clock. I didn’t to see if my opponent was shooting. I trusted the judges, trusted the clock. I missed my line I didn’t shot 3 arrows. I went over to the Judge hut and told them that the clock still showed CD. The Judge apologized and change the clock to AB. I told him I missed my line because the clock had not changed. I asked to make up my arrows because the clock was wrong. My request was denied and I was told “No you can’t shoot your arrows”. Another judge said “there was nothing we can do about it.
My tournaments in Arizona ended on a sour note. I made the US World Team, but got caught up in some emotions and got eliminated early from the Arizona Cup.
As much as I am disappointed in the judging staff this mistake is all on me. I should have paid more attention to who I shot next to. I should have seen my opponent sitting instead of shooting.
I headed home more determined than ever to focus, stay in my archery bubble and leave it all on the field this year. I know I’ve been thru worse and I’m still standing. still training hard! And I’m still going for that Olympic GOLD I have dreamed of since I was 12 years old!
