Team USA’s Liko Arreola (15) Makes World Cup History With Double Golds

Fifteen-year-old Liko Arreola (top photo) of Team USA made it a World Cup debut to remember recently as the teenage talent claimed double gold at Stage 3 in Colombia.

First, she was a member of the Team USA compound women’s team which defeated the host nation 233-231, alongside Olivia Dean — who, at 16, is also making her World Cup debut – and Alexis Ruiz.

Arreola then denied Colombia a second time as she held her nerve to beat Sara Lopez in the compound women’s gold medal match. Arreola became the youngest individual medalist at a World Cup aged just 15 years and 330 days.

At no stage did Arreola lead, trailing by as many as three points after the first three ends, and yet – appearing calm – she stuck to the process only to force a one-arrow shoot-off, which she won with a 10.

Earlier, Arreola won her semifinal encounter with Sarah Prieels (Belgium) 146-144. Prieels then took bronze after a 145-144 win over a battling Ruiz, who had lost her semifinal 147-146 to Lopez.

The Team USA men took silver and bronze in the compound division, with medals for James Lutz and Nick Kappers. Lutz overcame his teammate Kappers in the semifinals, firing a perfect score in winning 150-146. He was then beaten in the gold medal match by India’s Abhishek Verma 148-146.

Kappers added to the USA’s medal tally as he defeated Luccas Abreu of Brazil, 148-143, to take bronze.

Note: There are four World Cup stages — Turkey, China, Colombia and France (August 15-20); the season concludes with the final in Mexico (September 9-10).

 

Marolina Outdoor Announces New VP of Marketing

Marolina Outdoor Inc., parent company of Huk Performance Fishing and Nomad Outdoor, has tapped Joe Becker as the new vice president of marketing for both brands. Becker has already begun his tenure with the company over the past month, and is excited to transition to his new role and help pave a path forward for the future.

Becker will be responsible for leading and managing all areas of marketing for the Huk and Nomad brands. He will be a key player in the company's success, responsible for driving growth and profitability through effective marketing strategies and tactics.

“With an impressive career in the apparel and footwear industry spanning more than 23 years, we look forward to Joe leveraging his knowledge and experience in the industry to benefit Marolina Outdoor and our brands,” said Marolina Outdoor CEO Dean Rurak. “We are confident Joe is the best candidate to plot the course for growth and new customer acquisition for Huk and Nomad.”

Becker recently served as creative director for the Wolverine Boot brand; as well as e-commerce creative director for Merrell; creative director, e-commerce marketing manager and international marketing director for Cat Footwear; and art director for Carhartt.

“I am excited to have joined Marolina Outdoor as the new vice president of marketing,” Becker said. “I am eager to lead the marketing team and help drive the HUK and Nomad brands growth by creating emotional connections with our outdoor enthusiasts.”

 

Lancaster Archery Foundation Seeking Applicants for Youth Archery Grants

Lancaster Archery Foundation is planning to spend big bucks on clubs and organizations that help kids get into archery.

Through August 31, 2023, the foundation is accepting applications for the Growing Youth Archery Together program under which it will award 20 grants of $5,000 apiece to clubs and organizations that either plan to launch, or which recently have launched, youth archery programs.

The $100,000 funding pool was received by the Lancaster Archery Foundation last year after raising $100,000 on its own in order to receive a matching $100,000 grant from Easton Foundations in recognition of Easton Archery’s 100-year anniversary.

Eligible applicants for Growing Youth Archery Together are nonprofit clubs and organizations looking to start a youth archery program, or who have started one within the past 5 years. Those programs must be associated with one of the following: NASP, JOAD, S3DA 4-H Archery or Olympic Archery in Schools.

The full grant program guidelines and official grant application can be found here. Applications should be submitted between now and August 31, 2023, and then the board of Lancaster Archery Foundation will review them all to select the 20 grant recipients.

“Youth archery is the future of the sport,” said Rob Kaufhold, president of the Lancaster Archery Foundation Board of Directors. “We know that at Lancaster Archery Foundation and we want to help those out there who are working to introduce kids to everything that archery can bring to someone’s life.”

Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Lancaster Archery Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expand, develop and promote 3D and target archery to help people improve their confidence, discipline and leadership skills through participation in competitive archery.

 

ATA Welcomes New Membership Director

The Archery Trade Association recently hired Kim Watson as the new director of membership. Watson joins the ATA with 14 years of experience developing and managing membership programs and services.

In her role, Watson will develop, direct and execute the ATA membership strategic plan and budget. She will also collaborate with stakeholders and work with sales and marketing teams to develop business objectives, concepts, deliverables and timelines necessary to achieve membership goals. Watson will serve as the primary contact for ATA members regarding ATA membership applications, renewals, benefits and programs.

“We’re honored to have Kim join our team,” said ATA President and CEO Jeff Poole. “She comes to us with a deep background in membership and will be a valuable asset to our Association and members.”

Before joining the ATA, Watson led the membership team at the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, and spent the preceding 12 years as the membership director at the Dallas Bar Association. Click here to read Watson’s full bio to learn more about her career and interests.

Watson started with the ATA on June 12 and has already familiarized herself with ATA programs, ATA-member benefits, the renewal process and the online member portal. She looks forward to using her skills and expertise to help advance the ATA’s mission and hopes to help ATA members understand and take advantage of their ATA-member benefits.

ATA members can contact Watson at (507) 233-8133 or kimwatson@archerytrade.org regarding membership or benefit questions.