Easton Van Nuys Archery Center Student Earns JOAD Olympian Achievement Award
OutdoorHub 04.15.13
Junior Dream Team member, Amanda Tamayo, shot scores of 280 and 283 at the 2013 JOAD National Indoor Championships in February. Reaching a score of 280 at an indoor tournament secured a Bronze Olympian level award from USA Archery for the cadet recurve archer from the Easton Van Nuys Archery Center.
Since being selected to the JDT in December 2012, Amanda has increased the intensity of her training, and all the hard work is paying off.
“I feel really proud of myself,” said Amanda. “I have been striving for a score of 280 for quite a long time. To finally reach that goal at an indoor tournament and at a national tournament nonetheless, made me proud of all the work I have put into it.”
While the award is quite the accomplishment, Amanda is working hard to become better and not rest in the satisfaction of the achievement. This mentality was evident at the most recent tournament she competed in, the 2013 AAE Arizona Cup, during the first weekend of April.
The tournament’s qualifying round took place during strong winds, and Amanda thought she could of have done better, but she remained composed going into the individual round the next day.
“I felt pretty confident in my shot and was getting used to the wind,” said Amanda. “I didn’t go into the individual round with an attitude of being surprised if I won, but more of an attitude expecting to win. I don’t know if that sounds cocky, but I think you need that confidence when you shoot or you will become panicky at the target.”
That confidence sparked Amanda to earn a silver medal at the event, and finish in second place out of a field of 33 women cadet recurve archers. She was the highest medaling American in her class.
With these recent successes behind her, Amanda is looking ahead at her next goals. In order to receive a Silver Olympian level award, an archer in her division must shoot a 285 at an indoor tournament – a mark Amada fell shy of in February by two points. Earning the award and doing well in upcoming tournaments is on her mind now.
“I feel like I can step my training up a bit more,” said Amanda. “I want to feel more comfortable at tournaments, but I think I have a pretty good chance of winning the upcoming events.”
One tournament she is particularly working hard to prepare for is the National JOAD Outdoor Championships where she finished ninth in 2012.
“Going into the tournament last year, I was a nervous wreck,” said Amanda. “I feel this year is going to be different, and I will be calmer while shooting.”
With a strong work ethic and a resume to back it up, there are reasons to keep an eye on Amanda’s performance at the JOAD National Championships this summer and beyond. She just may be the next JDT member to represent the United States at the Olympics.
