Select elite archers also trialed a Mixed Team style competition to give attendees a taste of what they’ll see in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The Mixed Team showdown is a new event that will premiere in the 2020 Games. Casey Kaufhold and Doug Denton shot against Mackenzie Brown and Jacob Wukie. Each archer shot two arrows, one for Round 1 and one for Round 2. Kaufhold and Denton scored 18 edging out Brown and Wukie who scored 16 in their first round. In a quick turn of events, and two well placed arrows by Brown and Wukie, they took the lead and the title with a final score of 32 to 34.
The crowd cheered for more, so Lutz and Denton stepped to the line. Lutz won. Then, the competition’s announcer George Ryals IV (Griv) unexpectantly volunteered Matt Kormann, ATA’s CEO and president, to shoot. He welcomed the challenge. Kormann borrowed Anderson’s bow, leaving his opponent to borrow Wukie’s bow. Kormann relaxed and made a slow release while Anderson fired downrange in hot pursuit. His arrow missed the target and smacked the curtain backdrop, making Kormann the round’s winner.
In an attempt to redeem himself, Anderson challenged Denton to a round. Fortunately, Anderson hit a bull’s-eye, winning the match against Denton. In the event’s final individual shoot off, announcer Griv challenged Kaufhold. Kaufhold made a good shot, but Griv hedged her out by a few centimeters.