Williamsburg, KY – The UC archery team captured 13 medals to earn 31 points to successfully defend its Mid-South Conference 3D championship Sunday afternoon at the UC All-Purpose Field.  The Patriots notched four golds, six silvers, and three bronze en route to the win over an expanded conference field.

"I'm extremely proud of the way the team fought throughout the entire day," said Head Coach Kris Strebeck. "We knew this was going to come down the wire and we had numerous shooters step up and perform great."

The Patriots start the day strong taking gold medals in three of the four team rounds. The women's compound team of Brooke Miller, Sara Sherman, and Samantha Rayburn defeated Pikeville 177-162 in the semifinals before taking the gold medal match over Union 180-165. 

Gertrude Heavner, MacKenzie Gaines, and Courtnie Carr also notched a first-place finish in the women's bowhunter division.  After receiving a first-round bye, the trio defeated Campbellsville 182-158 to advance to the gold medal match, where they knocked off top-seed Union 179-164.  UC's men's bowhunter team of Caleb Dixon, Aaron Adams, and Jeremiah Jones followed suite earning gold as well.  The Patriots upend Union in the gold medal match 184-170 to earn four points.

UC's men's compound team (Jase Boils, Josh Isenhoff, Clint Moore) defeated Bethel in the semifinals however fell in the gold medal match to finish second.  The Patriots added a pair of silver medals in the mixed compound and mixed bowhunter event to finish the team rounds with 18 points.

As the competition shifted to the individual shoot down, Noah Fields was the first Patriot to reach the podium with a bronze medal in men's basic bow.  Fields hit a pair of tens en route to scoring 43 points to finish third.

Cumberlands added to its medal count in the women's bowhunter event as UC put two Patriots on the podium.  Heavner and Carr finished tied for second place with 62 points apiece after six ends, however Carr won the one-arrow shoot off, 10-8, to claim silver, while Heavner finished with a bronze.

In men's bowhunter, Dixon was looking to continue his hot shooting after earning the top seed Saturday.  Dixon and Taylor Bell finished tied for first after six rounds and both shooters scored a ten in the shoot off, forcing a decisive second shoot off, which Dixon dropped to earn a silver. 

Miller led a trio of Patriots in the women's compound as she hit two 14's and three 12's to capture the gold with 72 points.  Rayburn notched 60 points to earn bronze, while Sherman finished just off the podium with 59 points.

In the final event of the championship, men's compound, Jace Boils hit back-to-back 14's to rally from behind and earn a silver medal with 70 points.

Cumberlands will return to action Friday, October 26, when they travel to Foley, AL to take part in the USA 3D National Championships.  UC will look to improve on last year's runner-up finish.

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