USA Olympic Archery coach Heather Pfeil has roots in WNY

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.

In the individual female archery at the Paris Olympics, Kaufhold, a left-handed shooter, was earlier defeated in an upset by Chinese Taipei’s Lei Chien-Ying and eliminated from individual competition in the 1/16 elimination round.

Casey Kaufhold, left, with Mixed-Couple Olympic Bronze Medal and Heather Pfeil with the Ikkos Medallion award at the Paris Olympics.
Photo courtesy of USA Archery

Winning the Mixed-Team Olympic Archery competition for Bronze makes Kaufhold the first woman in USA Archery Olympic history to win an archery medal since 1988–quite an accomplishment.

Despite her intense training and competition schedule, Kaufhold, a resident of Lancaster, PA., enjoys hobbies such as sewing and refashioning furniture. This glimpse into her personal life helps America connect with her as a person, not just an athlete. After practice, she admits that a good night’s rest to prepare for the next day is very welcome.

In a separate ceremony at the USA Olympic Stage venue, Kaufhold was joyous and tearful as she took the stage to make a presentation to recognize her coach at the world level. Kaufhold called Heather Pfeil up to the stage to present her with the Order of Ikkos Medallion award for coaching. The Ikkos Medallion is symbolic in recognition of countless hours training America’s athletes to achieve the dream of an Olympic medal. Each U.S. medal-winning team receives one Order of Ikkos medal to present to a single coach. The award is presented as part of each U.S. Olympic medalist victory tour 24-36 hours after a U.S. athlete wins an Olympic or Paralympic medal. The Order of Ikkos comes from the Ikkos of Tarentum (Taranto), the first Olympic coach in ancient Greece.

Heather Pfeil said, “What a week it has been! Congratulations to the USA Olympic Archery team in Paris, Casey and Brady on Mixed-Team Bronze, and Brady on Silver Individual. Big accomplishments were achieved! I couldn’t be more humbled to be on this journey and grateful to have the opportunities. Thank you, Casey! It is an honor to coach you and be a small part of your story. Seeing your dreams become a reality through your hard work and dedication is inspiring. Words cannot express the gratitude for being presented with The Order of Ikkos.”

WNY congratulates USA Women’s Olympic Archery Coach and mentor Heather Pfeil. The former Springville resident and Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) coach at West Falls Conservation Society, Coach Pfeil, accepted the award crediting her husband (Gary Reynolds) and family in Springville, NY. As a grandparent, I met Heather at West Falls Conservation in her younger days when she was part of the Pfeil team coaching my granddaughter, Kelsey Voss. At age 11, Kelsey went on to win the NYS Junior Archery championship for kids under 12. Heather’s mother (Eileen) and father (Bob) continue to manage the JOAD program and coach archery youngsters at West Falls Conservation Society on a regular weekly basis. They are a family that cares about our youngsters.

Her mom added, “We are so proud of Heather’s achievements and dedication to being a coach and mentor in the sport of archery. Today was an emotional day watching Casey win Bronze and then for Heather being surprised to be recognized as Casey’s coach and receiving a medal for coaching excellence. What a way to end the day. “

Gotta love the Olympic USA outdoors!

Outdoor Calendar:

Aug. 7 – 18: Erie County Fair, Hamburg, NY; visit the Conservation Building to see live fish, animals, and conservation ideas for building bluebird box nests.

Aug. 9-11: Sportsman’s Rendezvous, Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds, 501 Erie St., (route 353), Little Valley, $5 admission, info: 716-474-7251.

Aug. 13-14: Meet with Rich Lazarczak and the Cattaraugus County Trappers in the Erie County Fair Conservation Building to learn about the importance of NYS trappers.

Aug. 15: Southtowns Walleye Assoc., monthly meeting and Kids Day event, 5895 Southwestern Blvd., kid’s crafts and learning stations – 6PM, general meeting – 7PM.

Aug. 16-17: Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge, Dunkirk Harbor from HQ at the Clarion Hotel Gazebo, $500 entry/team; info: Jim Steel, 716-481-5348 or visit https://innovative-outdoors.com.

Aug. 17: Roger’s Bird-Day Bash, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., in the Lodge at RTPI, tickets $20; Includes all-day admission to RTPI.