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Picture – I am shooting in the semi final match against the French VI archer. I just shot an arrow.
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Sunday, October 7 |
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I am so excited to tell you about my Day! Since I wasn’t shooting until the afternoon, Courtney went with the team over to the field early to help them set up. I stayed behind and made some phone calls. I was able to talk to Mom, Melani and Melinda and Larry. Tomorrow morning I am going to try to do a conference call with siblings Melani, Brian and Gary. You’ll know why in a moment.
Courtney got back to the room around 9:45 and we went back over to the archery field to watch the head-to-head matches that my teammates were participating in. When we got there, though, we decided to try the corn dogs being sold at a stand in the parking lot at the field. I know, you’re supposed to be very careful, but it couldn’t be much worse than what they serve in the “mess hall” under the tent where they cook on the ground. It actually was pretty good. The coating isn’t corn meal. It must be some kind of flower, maybe rice flower. Courtney said it was kind of like pancake dough. Chalk it up to another interesting food experience.
The head-to-head matches are lots of fun to watch. The spectators are allowed to cheer their teammates on. Depending on ranking, the archers in each category are paired up and shoot a total of 12 arrows head-to-head. Whoever gets the highest score after the 12 arrows are shot gets to move on to the next match. The loser is eliminated from the competition. There is a lot of pressure. Several members made it to the quarter finals and a couple made it to the semi finals. Jeff will go on to the gold medal match tomorrow and Eric will shoot in the bronze medal match. For lunch, Randi and Kim made us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. When we first came to Korea and they offered, there were not that many takers. Now, after a few days of eating the “mess hall” food, they had no problem using up all the peanut butter and jelly. It was the best meal we’ve tasted in a week.
And now for my story!
I was matched up against Lorenzo from Italy in the quarter finals. Melissa from Great Britain was matched up with Rubin from Belgium. I was able to keep my focus by picturing myself on a beautiful day at Discovery Park just shooting with friends. And then I would think about how much fun I was having. I beat Italy in the quarter finals and then went on to the semi finals against Gabriele from France. Melissa from Great Britain beat Belgium and so moved on to the semi finals as well. As you know, Gabriele was the second place winner overall. Melissa was matched against her own teammate, Steve from Great Brittan. Steve was the first place winner overall. The winners from these matchings would move on to the gold medal match tomorrow and the losers would participate in the bronze medal match tomorrow. I beat France by 16 points and Steve beat Melissa. This means that Steve and I will go head-to-head tomorrow in the gold medal match. The least either of us will win is silver. Melissa and Gilbert from France will compete for the bronze medal. I am so excited! I had so much fun. I had no idea how I was going to be able to handle the pressure at this level of competition, and I actually enjoyed it. Its kind of addicting I think.
I will write more after our team meeting at 9:00 PM.
We just got back from the meeting. The uniform for tomorrow is navy blue pants with red U.S.A. shirts. I will be shooting in the gold medal match at 11:30. Let’s hope I can sleep tonight – I’m so excited!
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