University of the Cumberlands Dominates as Top Collegiate Archers Shine in Thrilling Showdown

LANSING, Mich. – The University of the Cumberlands has regained the Overall National Team Championship at the 2025 HotelPlanner USA Archery Collegiate Target Nationals. Texas A&M University secured second place, while the University of Pikeville came in third.

On the last day of competition, individual and mixed team gold medal matches showcased the talents of nearly 500 archers. They faced the challenges posed by unpredictable weather, including high winds, yet still delivered impressive performances.

Venugopal Kunnavakkam, who made waves last year by setting a collegiate record in the barebow division, impressed again by shooting a new record in the recurve category. His score of 665 in qualification surpassed the previous best set by Trenton Cowles. Kunnavakkam also clinched gold in the mixed team event with Catalina GNoriega from Texas A&M.

In the individual recurve men’s competition, Kunnavakkam’s teammate Alex Gilliam took home the gold medal, while silver went to Joshua Baek from Columbia University and the bronze to Jackson Mirich from Mesa Community College. These victories mean Kunnavakkam, Gilliam, and Cowles will represent Team USA at the upcoming World University Games in Germany this July.

Nervous excitement filled the air as competitors celebrated their wins. Kennedy Sumpter from the University of the Cumberlands was visibly emotional after her victory, as were team members from Columbia University, who topped Texas A&M in the recurve women’s team event.

Carson Krahe stood out in the compound women’s category. After winning a silver medal at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 2, Krahe captured gold at the Collegiate Target Nationals, showcasing her strong skills against Lanie Nish of the University of the Cumberlands.

Success stories also emerged from the University of Rio Grande, which, under the guidance of Jonathan Clemins, won gold in the barebow mixed team event. Their achievements illustrate the growth of their new archery program.

The event was not just about individual accolades; the University of the Cumberlands achieved remarkable success in team events. They took gold in three of the eight team categories, a testament to their depth in talent.

Looking ahead, the World University Games will bring these top archers to an international stage. This competition marks a significant moment for collegiate archery athletes to showcase their skills. Historical precedents show that such performances often lead to opportunities in both professional archery and related sports careers. The synergy of teamwork and individual excellence in archery fosters a community that extends beyond just competition.

For detailed results from the event, you can check out the official scores [here](https://www.betweenends.com/tournament/2714) and view photos from each day [here](https://usaarchery.smugmug.com/2025/Collegiate-Target-Nationals).

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