USA Olympic Archery coach Heather Pfeil has roots in WNY.
Western New York once again shines with world-class talent. Heather Pfeil, a USA Olympic competitor who trained at the Olympic training facility in Chula Vista, California, has transitioned from the competitive circles to become a well-respected, world-class archery coach.
Her journey from Springville, NY, to Lancaster, PA., where she accepted a position with the Lancaster Archery Company, is a testament to her dedication and passion for the sport.
Pfeil’s role as the coach and mentor to Casey Kaufhold, who has become the number-one ranked female archer in the world, inspires all archers.
It was a heart-stopping moment for everyone in the Olympic observer stands and worldwide on T.V. as Casey Kaufhold placed an arrow on her bow rest and drew back the string.
Her physical and mental strength, honed through rigorous training, were apparent to all.
Team partner Brady Ellison was nearby and had just finished his final shot. Kaufhold needed an eight or better to clinch the win. There was no grimaced facial expression, just a dead-calm presence in her demeanor as observed on the T.V. cameras.
Her direct focus on the target bullseye was evident as her arrow flew unabated by the wind to score a near-perfect shot in the “9 ring” to win the mixed-match Bronze Medal Olympic competition for the USA.
Casey Kaufhold and Brady Ellison of Team USA, third-ranked in the mixed world team competition, defeated India 6-2 for the win. This victory, achieved through their hard work and absolute dedication, is a personal triumph and a source of pride and inspiration for American archery enthusiasts and sports fans worldwide.
The impact of their victory on the Western New York Community is profound, leaving a lasting impression on the USA Olympic Archery community.
Ellison won the Olympic Silver Medal for the USA in the individual men’s archery competition. They are a very qualified team.
In Olympic archery, the target rests some 70 meters (229.8 feet) away in an outdoor venue where weather factors can affect arrow flight.
The archers use recurve bows, not the compound bows as most archery hunters in the country use for ease of accuracy while hunting. The average draw weight for men is 48.5 pounds and 38 pounds for women.
Repeated practice (500-600 arrows per day) and physical training to accomplish the perfect aim with a recurve bow is arduous, highlighting the intensity and dedication required in the sport. The bow is allowed to have mechanical sights but with no optical enhancements.
