PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Columbia archery team jump started the outdoor portion of it season at the prestigious Arizona Cup in Phoenix, Ariz., April 8-11. The Arizona Cup features some of the top archers in the sport, both nationally and globally, and is used as a qualifier for the United States Archery Team.  This year's tournament was the fourth year in a row that it served as a FITA World Archery Ranking Tournament.

"Considering we didn't have much opportunity to practice outdoors before this major event," said head coach Derek Davis, "I'm proud of the performance and dedication our team displayed.  Now that this tournament is a world ranking event (the only one held in the U.S.), we are seeing it grow in popularity. There were 12 different countries represented and the competition was on an elite level."

In a field of over 60 competitors, Sarah Chai had the highest finish for the Lions in the qualifying round, placing 16th overall in the recurve division with a score of 1162.   The sophomore shot 287-291-297-287.  In the head-to-head elimination round, Chai made it to the round of 16 before being eliminated by Aida Roman of Mexico, the top-finisher in the qualification round with a score of 1293.   In her first two rounds, Chai defeated Denmark's Jeremiassen Henney 5-1 and Lauren Hughes of the U.S. 4-2.

Also finishing in the top-20 was Sara Goshorn.  The senior fired a 297-283-279-282 for a combined score of 1141, ranking 20^th in the recurve division.  She was eliminated in the first round of head-to-head competition by Abigail Abraham, 4-2.

Five other Lions competed in the recurve division, including Alexandra Garyn (1117), Anna Harrington (1075), Lauren Marion (1021), Maya Inamura (904) and Stephanie Botica (895).  All five were eliminated in the first round of head-to-head.

Representing Columbia in the compound division was Sydney Shaefer.  The sophomore finished the qualifying round ranked 30^th overall with a total score of 1269.  She was eliminated in the head-to-head round by Lisa Reppenhagen, 4-0.

Columbia returns to action April 17-18 when it competes at the Nanook of the North Tournament in Storrs, Conn.