Ryan Gustin – Indiana

My first time throwing axes was in the summer of 2017 and I had a good enough time that I joined a league in the fall season of 2017. Since then I’ve had many more good times and have met hundreds of awesome people who enjoy the sport of axe throwing as much as I do! I’ve been lucky enough to qualify and throw in every WATC and win a couple of major championships. I enjoy helping others excel at the sport and sharing the axe throwing knowledge I’ve picked up along my journey.

I’m the owner and a thrower at Flying Squirrel Axe Throwing in Speedway, lN.

Outside of axe throwing; I’m a scratch golfer, +11 handicap golden tee player, disc golfer for fun, weekly cornhole player, lifelong skier, hunter, fisherman, Fast and Furious saga enthusiast, lover of 90’s alternative rock/grunge and Forrest Gump is my favorite movie.

Sam Carter – Colorado

I started throwing back in 2017 after my girlfriend, Ro, asked if I wanted to go axe throwing. I immediately responded, is that even a question?!??! So we went, we threw, we got hooked! My current home venue is Primal axe throwing out of Denver, CO.

Outside of axe throwing I enjoy disc golf, breweries with friends and dogs, and video games.

Alison Fawthrop – Texas

We started throwing in July of 2018 after going on our first date. Brandon (husband) then started throwing league out of TommyHawks in Springfield, MO. After Brandon moved back to Texas during COVID, we started the research on opening our own venue in Oct 2020 – Drengr Axe Throwing. Our first tournament was the US Open at Ironside in 2019. We had no idea what we were walking into!  We take pride in going to as many tournaments as we can each year as we learn new things about throwing and being venue owners. We are throwers first, venue owners second! We believe in collaboration not competition and work closely with the venues around us. I love the logistics part of tournaments and volunteer whenever I can!  We are also real estate investors and have a junior in high school this year!

Sebastian Arnold – New York

I started throwing in early 2021. Joined my first WATL league for the Winter 2022 season. My favorite discipline is knife throwing. More than competing, I love seeing other members of my league achieve their goals and grow as throwers. Other than throwing, I have been training in TaeKwonDo for 25 years. I have my 4th Dan black belt and managed a martial arts school for 6 years. My goal in the community is to become the best thrower I can be while being a part of others’ journeys to reach their potential.

Erika Brynildsen – Illinois

My husband, Dan and I own our own axe throwing venue, Riverbend Axe Throwing. I started throwing in fall of 2020, about a year after we opened our venue, mainly because I didn’t want to miss out. Now 3 of our 4 kiddos also throw. Our girls are the very popular duals team the Mad Sisters. In my daily life I serve as the Chief Nursing Officer of a Rehabilitation Hospital. My favorite thing about axe throwing is the community and friendships that have been made. I love how this sport has room for everyone and everyone is welcome. Please come find me and talk to me at any tournament. I absolutely love meeting new people and cheering people on through their axe throwing journey.

Michael Theodorou – Texas

I started throwing in the fall of 2019. I was dragged there against my will just to get my brother in law out of the house one night a week. The people in the league are what first hooked me. People from every walk of life all coming together just to have fun. Then the competitive side came back out. I played sports year round my whole life and then as an adult that competition wasn’t there anymore. This brought it all back with a vengeance. QATL was the biggest turning point. It was both fun AND competitive but on an international scale. So many people I met then that I consider family now. Colby Dean and I own Hurling Hatchets in Houston, TX. We also own and run Route 64 Training, which is a charity based training program for throwers of all skill levels for all disciplines. All proceeds from Route 64 go to help members of our community that are in real need. Examples include those who are struggling with medical bills, job losses or to put food on the table for their families. We wanted to find a way to be able to help people who need it the most and out of that Route 64 was born. Helping people is the most rewarding experience in life and that is always the goal.

Jave Yoshimoto – Nebraska

I started throwing in November 2018 at Angry Axe in Tulsa, Oklahoma right as I was about to move to Omaha, Nebraska. It was my way of dealing with the challenges of moving.

When the pandemic hit, my health deteriorated rapidly, and throwing out of Craft Axe and Ironside Axe Throwing allowed me to get back to a healthier place physically. It was also a good outlet for mental health as my relationship with my ex wife came to an end, and I relied heavily on the community of axe throwing to keep me afloat, and I am glad to say that I’m in a happier place today!

Miguel Tamburini – Washington

I started throwing the Fall season 2018 at Got Wood and fell in love with axe throwing. My favorite thing is teaching and training throwers and coaches everywhere. I moved to Washington state to open my own venue, Jumping Jackalope because I wanted the opportunity to expand the sport and to grow the community on places that they had no idea it existed. That, and mountains!

Outside of axe throwing I am a blues player. I have toured with blues bands playing Texas Blues and music has always been there for me when I need to reset.

John Doepke – Wisconsin

I started throwing around 2018 at Blades & Boards in Wausau, WI where I still throw today. I enjoy bowling, golf, spending time with my family and goofing off on TikTok. I’m involved in the axe throwing community and love to watch it grow so if you have questions on throwing, tournaments, etc. feel free to ask.

Mike Philabaum – Texas

I found axe throwing through an indeed job post and started throwing. I wasn’t into it at first but quickly came around and realized I could do something with the sport and fell in love with it and the community. I have made many sacrifices to pursue this sport and be the best that I absolutely can be. I love helping anyone anytime that I can because I understand the struggles that everyone faces and I want to make anything easier for people. My home venue now is Hurling Hatchets in Texas. I moved there recently and have loved every second of being there surrounded by some of the closest friends and family.

When I’m not axe throwing I love to go fishing and be outdoors. I like gaming and playing disc golf. I love going to Ren Fest and being a typical nerd. I have 7 ferrets and 2 dogs that I love. They are the most amazing animals I could have ever asked for.

Tabitha Fisher – Ohio

I started throwing when my husband, David, and I went on a Sunday Funday Date in 2019. I unfortunately didn’t stick one axe, the coaching was less than stellar. After our reservation I told David I was not done throwing. Being the great guy that he is, he went out and spent way too much money on wood and we bought 6 axes. I invited our neighbors over and we started throwing…and I finally started sticking! I knew from that moment we could do it better, for sure.

We opened my home venue in January of 2020, The Axe House Cleveland.

Fun facts about me: when I’m not throwing you’ll catch me at home with our two Husky boys Link & Chrono. I enjoy taking them to our local metro parks, baking desserts, and spending time with our family & friends.

For anyone new or old in our community who wants to say “Hey!” I promise you’ll find me either in a lane judging, or talking/laughing obnoxiously loud. I’m only 5’1″ so I’m sure you’ll see my famous Messy Bun before you see me. I can’t wait to see you all at our next tournament!

Francesca Lopez – Virginia

Hello! I’m Fran. I started throwing out of Charlotte, North Carolina when I was travelling for work. My current home venue is Axes and Os in Sterling, VA. I enjoy travelling to new places, especially for tournaments, and trying all different types of food. My favorite tournament snack is tater tots. I love all nerdy things, especially Star Wars and DND, and enjoy mixing axe throwing and other games (e.g., Battleship + axe throwing :D). In terms of axe throwing, I throw all three disciplines, enjoy planning tournaments, and strongly believe in helping anyone of any demographic meet their goals, whether it’s a certain statistic, or just to have fun. Can’t wait to meet more members of the axe fam!

Melody Rohaly – South Carolina

Hey there! I started throwing in 2019 and haven’t stopped since! I enjoy backyard practice sessions as well as traveling to as many new venues for tournaments and marathon leagues as I can! I also love going to concerts, I’ve seen the foo fighters more times than I can count! I’m also well known for having some kind of snacks on me at all times!

Leslie Wellman – Michigan

Leslie Wellman, a 41-year-old Michigan native, currently resides in Battle Creek, MI. Leslie was first introduced to axe throwing when her husband, Dustin, and his friends started a local, fun axe throwing league in 2018. To say it was love at first throw is putting it lightly. In 2020, Leslie attended her first major tournament, The Arnold, in Dublin, Ohio as a spectator but was given a spot in the tournament after a fellow league member couldn’t attend. As of 2022, Leslie and her husband, also known as “The Wellman’s” drive all over the US going to every major tournament. Leslie states, “the axe throwing community is the most inclusive, supportive, and exciting part of the sport. I can’t imagine my life without the sport and the people I’ve met.” In her free time, Leslie creates wood-burned art, wood and leather jewelry, and attempts to help her husband with his thriving axe maker business. Stop by and see Leslie at your next tournament!

Armstead Harris – Pennsylvania

Hey I’m @axez_n_arrowz!!! I first saw axe throwing watching a tv show (Summer House) & through further inquiry I found out that it was the new thing, so during my birthday vacation I tried something different & became addicted after the first time I sunk my axe in a target. I became addicted enough to put some 2×4’s on an old table, spray them with spray paint, & my father & I got busy on some boards!!! After this beautiful community reached out to me & schooled me on my throwing I just can’t get enough now!!!
1,000,000% effort
20 hourz a day
7 dayz a week
52 weekz a year
EVERY YEAR 4 THA REST OF MY LIFE!!!

Shane Funke – Iowa

I discovered my love for axe throwing in 2019 when my now-wife bullied me into it. From mastering the perfect stance to the satisfying thud of a well-aimed throw, every moment spent practicing fuels my determination. Whether coaching newcomers or competing in tournaments, axe throwing isn’t just a hobby – it’s a way of life that sharpens both skill and spirit.

I found more than just a target at the range – I found my soulmate. Meeting, getting engaged, and then marrying my wife all because of axe throwing. We discovered a shared passion that would shape our lives forever, transforming the bullseyes we aimed for into the milestones of our relationship.