January 23, 2025
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – World Archery Americas just announced the top archers for 2024, and the results are exciting. Thirteen of the best are from the United States, showcasing Olympic, Paralympic, and World Cup talents.
Brady Ellison took the title in the recurve men’s category. He had a standout year, earning individual silver and mixed team bronze at the Paris Olympics. His mixed team success came with partner Casey Kaufhold, who leads in the recurve women U21. Kaufhold not only won the Pan American Championship in 2024 but also became the first American woman to reach world number one.
In the recurve U18 division, Hailey Franzone shone bright, capturing a bronze medal at the World Archery Field Championships in Canada last September.
The compound men’s category was dominated by James Lutz, who excelled at the World Cup and also snagged the Indoor World Series title. His performances earned him the best compound men archer award.
Several younger talents from the U.S. also stood out. Sawyer Sullivan won three gold medals at World Cup Stage 2, including one with U21 partner Olivia Dean. In the U18 division, Dewey Hathaway and Rendyn Brooks were recognized for their impressive skills. Hathaway won gold in U21 men at the World Archery Field Championships, while Brooks took home bronze in U21 women. Together, they won mixed team gold at the same event.
In the barebow category, Fawn Girard made history by winning gold at the World Field Championships, the first American to do so since 2008.
The Paralympic category saw Tracy Otto, Matt Stutzman, Jason Tabansky, and Jordan White received recognition. Stutzman and Tabansky both brought home gold medals from Paris. At the 2024 Para Pan American Games in São Paulo, Brazil, Tabansky and Otto excelled by winning double gold, while White became the youngest Paralympic archer for the U.S. at just 15 during the Paris Games.
Apart from the main awards, there were also special recognitions. Rick Riessle was honored with the Volunteer Appreciation award for his contributions, and USA Archery received the Archery Federation award.
Archer of the Year Awards
| Recurve Men: Brady Ellison | Compound Women U18: Rendyn Brooks |
| Compound Men: James Lutz | Barebow Archer: Fawn Girard |
| Recurve Women U21: Casey Kaufhold | Compound Men Open: Matt Stutzman |
| Compound Men U21: Sawyer Sullivan | W1 Men: Jason Tabansky |
| Compound Women U21: Olivia Dean | W1 Women: Tracy Otto |
| Recurve Women U18: Hailey Franzone | Para Youth Archer: Jordan White |
| Compound Men U18: Dewey Hathaway |
Special Recognitions
| Volunteer Appreciation: Rick Riessle | Archery Federation: USA Archery |
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