Michelle Gilbert

Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Year Began Archery: 2005
Year Selected JDT: 2008
Personal Coach: David Gilbert
JOAD Club: Virtual JOAD
Indoor Olympian: Silver
Outdoor Olympian: Silver
2010 Season Category: Cadet
Age: 15
2011 USAT Rank: 8th Senior

Out of curiosity, Michelle began archery by walking into an indoor archery range at Bull Run Shotgun Range in Virginia. There she  gained instruction from Olympian Ruth Rowe and began to have success; earning both local and national titles and records. Michelle moved to the BEST method a few weeks before Target Championships in 2008. As a first year Cub, she placed a few points out of third in the Cadet division and gained an invitation to be evaluated for the JDT. Since being accepted, Michelle has worked hard to learn National Training System and perform well.  For 2010 Michelle is technically a Cadet by age but competes as a Junior.

Her 2010 accomplishments include: 8th place Sr. USAT

1st COPARCO Championship of the Americas (Junior)

1st Pan American Junior Champion (ORs) in Guadalajara, Mexico

Pan American Championships: 2 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze medal(s) (Junior)

Set new Pan American Championship Junior FITA record (1271)

Re-set all National indoor tournament records (Cadet-Junior) and FITA records broken in 2009.

Her 2009 accomplishments include: 2nd place Jr. USAT Cadet

1st COPARCO Championship of the Americas (Cadet)

2nd Youth World Team Trials (Cadet)

29th Youth World Games in Utah (Cadet)

5th Youth World Games (Team)

Olympic Archery Festival  in El Salvador:  2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze (Senior)

Set 26 National/FITA Records (Cub, Cadet, and Junior)

Since joining the JDT, Michelle has learned much, gained new experiences, and gained many new friends with people with the same devotion to archery as herself. Michelle now trains hard for continuous improvement  in all aspects of the sport and to reach her ultimate goal of winning that gold medal while representing the US in the Olympic Games.