Foley, AL – The University of the Cumberlands archery team have set their sights on their fourth consecutive 3D national championship and  have put themselves in a favorable spot after the first round of qualifying Friday afternoon.  The Patriots have 17 archers in scoring position midway through qualifying, while eight archers are ranked in the top 12 putting them in strike position.

A pair of Patriots led the way in their respective division as Jacob Valentini is ranked first in men's recurve, while Hannah Moose is sitting atop women's compound.  Valentini hit 11 bonus rings en route to a 215 and a one-point lead in men's recurve.  The senior is looking for his first individual finish at a national championship. Reed Goodpaster is sitting just outside of scoring position as he carded a 192 to be ninth.

Moose is continuing on her tear this season, the reigning USA regional champion hit a division-best 16 bonus rings en route to a 230 on the day. Moose was one of five Patriots that finished the day in the top-ten and holds a four-point lead over Abigail Veidmark heading into tomorrow.  Brooke Miller and Amanda Newland are two of five archers that finished with a 220 on the round.  Miller drilled 11 bonus rings to be in fourth place, while Newland is in a three-way tie for fifth with 10 bonus rings.

Marissa Harding and Danielle Woodie are both in the top-ten finishing with a 217 and 216, respectfully.  Newcomers, Jazmine Trinidad and Hilana-Lee Santos, competing in their first collegiate national championships, are in striking distance after carding a 215 and 214, respectfully. 

Cumberlands had three in scoring position in both the men's compound and women's recurve divisions. UC's men's compound division is highlight by a tie for third place between Tanner Barker and Jase Boils.  Both archers sit four points back after recording a 228 with 14 bonus rings in the first round.  Two points back is Carson Sapp at 226, while Cole Zeug shot a 222 to be in 13^th place.  Aaron Adams, Clay Weaver, and Blaine Kostrzewski all shot a 220 on the day.

Lidia Quezada lead a trio of Patriots in the women's recurve division carding a 200 with five bonus rings to be in fourth place.  Ceridwyn Salyers is one spot back with a 198 as Kimber Wheeler 184 puts her in eighth place. 

Cumberlands posted a pair of scorers in three other divisions.  Elliott Cross and Brandon Durham mirrored each other in men's bowhunter as they are tied for sixth with 218.  The pair also hit 10 bonus rings apiece, while Matthew England is ninth place with a 214, converting on seven 12's. 

In the women's bowhunter, Kaitlyn Shields is in podium position as she carded a 208 with nine bonus rings.  Madison Cox is two points back sitting in fifth place shooting a 206 with five 12's.  Cox is looking for her seventh individual podium finish at a national championship, while Shields is seeking her second podium finish.  Teammates Abigail Tackett and Hollyann Lewis are tied for 11^th place at 196 apiece.

Elijah Crawford and Tyler Woosley find themselves in striking position for the podium in men's barebow.  Crawford shot a 173 with a pair of bonus rings to be in fourth place, while Woosley sits in sixth after shooting a 171.  Bradley Faulkner recorded a 157 to be in 12^th place.

Sierra Gray notched the second best round in the women's barebow division.  The freshman shot a 169 to be two points out of first place.  Katie Karr is in ninth place with a 144 but is looking to make a move during the second round.

Cumberlands returns to the range at 9 a.m. tomorrow for the final day of competition at the 3D Nationals.  The second individual qualifying round is set for 9 a.m., which will be followed by team rounds, and mixed discipline rounds tomorrow night. 

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