BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Union College sophomore Jillian Ballengee made history recently as she became the first individual in United States Collegiate Archery (USCA) history to claim the Triple Crown by winning all three individual national championships in a single academic year.
The Parkersburg, W. Va., native scored the individual national titles in the women’s compound division at the USCA 3D National Championship in October, the USCA Indoor National Championship in January, and the United States Intercollegiate Archery Championship (USIAC) Outdoor National Championship earlier this month.
“Jill has worked very hard to win all three titles,” said Union coach Cody Kirby. “Not only does she spend time in practice with the team, but she also does a lot of additional practice time on her own. Winning the Triple Crown has never happened for an individual, and it’s a blessing that Union has the first one.”
Since coming to campus, Ballengee displayed an elite talent and a commitment to excellence both as a student and an athlete. During her freshman season, Ballengee claimed both the 3D and indoor national championships while finishing with silver in the outdoor national championship.
“It has been an honor to take all three championships this year,” said Ballengee. “After coming up just short as a freshman, I was determined to work hard and perform better this year. I put in a lot of time and effort all season and I couldn’t have asked for a better season.”
In October, Ballengee helped the Bulldogs to their first-ever overall team national championship as the USCA 3D National Championship. Individually, she won a national championship by four points with a score of 410 but also brought home the women’s compound team silver with teammates Jodi Hicks and Hannah Lane and the mixed compound team silver with Lucas Roy.
At the indoor championships, Ballengee led the field. Registering a score of 1,175 out of a possible 1,200, she qualified for the No. 1 position for nationals at Las Vegas, Nev. Ballengee pushed her way to another gold medal at nationals after defeating teammate Jodi Hicks in the semifinals with a one arrow closest-to-center shoot off before defeating Mackenzie Tompkins from Kentucky Christian 141-139 in the gold-medal match. She also claimed mixed team silver with freshman Calvin Gross.
Finally, at the USIAC Outdoor Championships in Jackson, Miss., Ballengee collected the third and final gold medal in the Triple Crown. She qualified in first place, posting a score of 680/720. Eventually, she met Hicks in the finals, and Ballengee defeated her fellow Bulldog with a match score of 143-137. Once more, Ballengee helped carry the team to a national championship as she also claimed women’s compound team gold with Hicks and Lane.
