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Jan 14, 2026

Rushmore Rumble Sets New Standard in Indianapolis

The 5th Annual Rushmore Rumble marked a major milestone for the tournament, debuting in a new location and delivering record-breaking participation, elite competition, and an unforgettable weekend for archers and fans alike.

Traditionally hosted at the NFAA Headquarters in Yankton, South Dakota, the 2026 Rushmore Rumble made its first appearance in Indianapolis inside the Indiana Convention Center from January 9–11. This year’s event coincided with a reimagined ATA Show, which opened its doors to consumers as the Archery & Bowhunting Supershow. For the first time, archery and bowhunting enthusiasts were able to walk the show floor, experience the latest gear, and watch high-level competition all in one place. The unprecedented combination created an immersive experience that drew participants and spectators from around the world.

That excitement translated directly to the shooting line. The Rushmore Rumble nearly tripled its participation from previous years, welcoming an impressive 924 archers across a wide range of divisions.

The two-day competition featured a format distinctive to the event. Day one consisted of a 60-arrow Vegas-style 5-spot. Day two returned to the traditional 30-arrow Vegas round on the 3-spot target. Various classes and age groups were also permitted to shoot a 40 cm single-spot target each day. 

Across the weekend, archers delivered an extraordinary level of shooting, recording 24 perfect 900 scores across nine different classes. Notable performances included:

• Leann Drake posted a 900 to win both the Championship Compound Female and Collegiate Compound Female divisions
• Chase Cotty recorded a 900 to win the Championship Compound Young Adult division
• Grant Schleusner earned a 900 to claim the Championship Senior Male Compound title for the second consecutive year
  
• Chloe Nelson delivered a 900 to win the Compound Young Adult Female division
  
• Joshua Lawler secured top honors in the Bowhunter Flights division
  
• Colton Green finished first in the Collegiate Compound Male division
• Ethan Conway claimed 1st place in the Compound Flights division with 84 X’s, followed by Jacob McArthur in 2nd with 83 X’s, William Becker in 3rd with 76 X’s, and Nathan McMurtry in 4th with 72 X’s. All four men finished with 900 scores, leaving their X count to break the tie for 1st place.
  

The Championship Compound Open division proved especially competitive, producing an impressive 13 perfect 900 scores. Following an intense shoot-off, Kyle Douglas finished 3rd, Levi Reitsma earned 2nd, and Bodie Turner claimed 1st place, securing his third consecutive Rushmore Rumble Championship after eight ends that advanced into dramatic “inside-out” sudden-death competition.

Several other Championship divisions were also decided by shoot-offs, adding to the excitement throughout the weekend:

• Championship Compound Young Adult saw a shoot-off for 3rd place, with Mason Springer earning the position
  
• Championship Compound Female concluded with Tanja Gellenthien finishing 2nd and Alexis Ruiz taking 3rd after a shoot-off
  
• Championship Senior Male Compound featured a shoot-off for 2nd and 3rd, with Randy Morocco placing 2nd and Tim Audus finishing 3rd
  

A first for the Rushmore Rumble, the Championship Barebow Recurve Open division showcased an exciting shoot-off that highlighted the continued growth of Barebow Recurve competition at the event. Del Hillberry and Matt Hudson completed standard scoring after 90 arrows tied at 828, forcing a shoot-off for 1st place on the Vegas 3-spot target using 10–6 scoring. Hillberry emerged victorious with a 28–27 end score to secure the Championship title.

Beyond the scores and podium finishes, the Rushmore Rumble continued to highlight the NFAA Foundation’s mission to support the next generation of archers. Thanks to the success of the event, the Foundation awarded $8,800 in scholarships across Junior and Collegiate divisions, investing directly in the future of the sport.

With record participation, elite-level performances, and an innovative partnership alongside the Archery & Bowhunting Supershow, the 5th Annual Rushmore Rumble firmly established itself as one of the premier indoor archery tournaments in the country. The move to Indianapolis expanded the event’s reach and set a new benchmark for the Rushmore Rumble moving forward.

Watch the thrilling shoot-off coverage provided by Competition Archery Media.

View Results  Browse Event Pictures

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