Miranda Leek and Michelle Gilbert Shootoff for 1st Place At Jr. World Trials

Sunday, 3 May 2009

Jr. World Team Trials Carbondale Illinois

So it’s the last day of a three day tournament, you’ve shot a FITA, an OR round and met each of 7 other opponents in a Round Robbin.  You’ve shot your last arrow and put all your equipment away in preparation for the long journey home.  The field crew has pulled all the target bales off the field, packed up the timers, and put the rule book away.  You are tired, wet, just a little bit muddy and really looking forward to putting your feet up and downing some chicken wings.

Just when you think it’s all over, some 4 time Olympian gets on the PA and says “Would Miranda Leek and …………..(long pause)………….Michelle Gilbert please return to the field.  We have a tie for 1st place!”

It was a kind of bizzaro world experience for these two members of the Junior Dream Team.  Surely this was the last thing either expected to hear nearly an hour after they thought they had shot their last arrow.  They had been battling it out in the muddy muck all weekend with the same players on the podium each time.  Now they would have to go at it  one more time since ties are not allowed in the Jr. World Trials.

The only problem is, how to break the tie.  Some officials thought  a one arrow shoot-off was called for while others said a full 12 arrow match would be necessary.  After what seemed like an eternity, and  much back and forth (and consulting of the FITA rule book) it was decided.  No less than a full 12 arrow match was necessary to break the tie.

Since both Miranda and Michelle were securely on the Jr. World Team by virture of the fact that the lowest either could finish was second place, this was to be a friendly match with a lot of drama.  The first end was to tell the storey of the match.  Miranda shoots the first shot, a 9.  Michelle matches with a 9.  Miranda shoots another 9 and Michelle matches.  Each archer shoots an 8 to finish out the first end tied once again!  If either had hopes of a one arrow shoot-off their hopes were certainly dashed by now.  This match wasn’t going to be over until the very last arrow was shot.  At long last , Miranda had won by 2 points and put her claim on yet another 1st place finish in the Female Cadet Recurve Division of the Jr. world Trials.

Way to go Miranda and Michelle!

We would like to thank our sponsors, including Easton Foundation and TaxMasters for lending financial support helping to cover travel and registration costs, Nike for the apparel, and Easton and Hoyt for their support in providing the Junior Dream Team Program with equipment