OGDEN -- Just as the U.S. women's compound team was setting a new world record on the left side of the field, the women's recurve team learned they had missed the gold medal round by a single point.
Humid conditions and a grueling sun set the tone for eliminations during the third stage of the Archery World Cup at Weber State University. The field was quickly cut down to medal contenders in each category, setting the stage for this weekend's showdown for gold at Lindquist Field.
Team USA is poised for possible gold in eight events, including the women's team compound, after the trio of Erika Anschutz, Christie Colin and Jamie Van Natta shot a world record 236 in the semifinal match against Canada.
"We've been shooting really well," Anschutz said. "Our first match we were one point below the world record and we shot really good in fours (quarterfinals), and this (world record) is just like the cake."
The team hopes a gold medal will provide the icing as they tangle with the team from India on Saturday evening.
Anschutz will also shoot for gold in the individual compound event against Italy's Marcella Tonioli after capturing a 141-139 win over Italy's Laura Longo in Thursday's semifinal match.
Just as the U.S. women were celebrating on the compound field, the women's team from Ukraine played spoiler for the U.S. team on the recurve side as they edged the Americans 218-217 in the semifinals.
Despite the loss, the recurve women will have a shot at the podium as they face China for bronze tonight.
The U.S. women were shut-out of possible podium spots in the individual recurve event as both 18-year-old Miranda Leek and two-time Olympian Jennifer Nichols were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Deepika Kumari of India and Ming Cheng of China will shoot for gold, while Alejandra Valencia of Mexico will meet Ukraine's Kateryna Palenkha for bronze.
On the men's side, three U.S. archery legends will shoot for gold in individual categories. Two of them -- Brady Ellison and Rodger Willet Jr. -- will compete for an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup gold in their respective events.
Ellison defeated fellow American Joe Fanchin 7-3 on Thursday and will defend his number one ranking in men's recurve against Ukraine's Dmytro Hrachov tonight. Ellison will also shoot for gold in the men's recurve team and mixed-team events.
In the individual compound event, Willet narrowly defeated teammate and world champion Reo Wilde on Thursday to make the gold medal round. He will face another American, Braden Gellenthien, who defeated world champion Christopher Perkins of Canada in the quarterfinals.
Both the men's recurve and compound teams will chase gold tonight after wins on Thursday afternoon.
The recurve team of Ellison, Fanchin, and Jake Kaminski defeated Ukraine 229-226 and will face China in the gold medal round, while the Wilde brothers, Logan and Reo, along with teammate Gellenthien, edged out Iran 234-232 and will meet Canada in their final match.
Pocatello, Idaho native and West Jordan resident Logan Wilde noted the unique opportunity to compete on the same team as his brother.
"It definitely makes it a lot more interesting," he said. "You get that camaraderie with him but you also have that special bond that you just don't have with anybody else on the field."
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